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Anonymous non‐response analysis in the ABCD cohort study enabled by probabilistic record linkage
Author(s) -
Tromp M.,
Van Eijsden M.,
Ravelli A. C. J.,
Bonsel G. J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
paediatric and perinatal epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3016
pISSN - 0269-5022
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2009.01030.x
Subject(s) - medicine , record linkage , odds ratio , cohort , selection bias , demography , medical record , cohort study , pregnancy , odds , linkage (software) , family medicine , logistic regression , environmental health , population , biochemistry , chemistry , pathology , sociology , biology , gene , genetics
Summary Selective non‐response is an important threat to study validity as it can lead to selection bias. The Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study (ABCD‐study) is a large cohort study addressing the relationship between life style, psychological conditions, nutrition and sociodemographic background of pregnant women and their children's health. Possible selective non‐response and selection bias in the ABCD‐study were analysed using national perinatal registry data. ABCD‐study data were linked with national perinatal registry data by probabilistic medical record linkage techniques. Differences in the prevalence of relevant risk factors (sociodemographic and care‐related factors) and birth outcomes between respondents and non‐respondents were tested using Pearson chi‐squared tests. Selection bias (i.e. bias in the association between risk factors and specific outcomes) was analysed by regression analysis with and without adjustment for participation status. The ABCD non‐respondents were significantly younger, more often non‐western, and more often multiparae. Non‐respondents entered antenatal care later, were more often under supervision of an obstetrician and had a spontaneous delivery more often. Non‐response however, was not significantly associated with preterm birth (odds ratio 1.10; 95% CI 0.93, 1.29) or low birthweight (odds ratio 1.16; 95% CI 0.98, 1.37) after adjustment for sociodemographic risk factors. The associations found between risk factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes were similar for respondents and non‐respondents. Anonymised record linkage of cohort study data with national registry data indicated that selective non‐response was present in the ABCD‐study, but selection bias was acceptably low and did not influence the main study questions.