Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Value sets (code lists) are often fundamental to computable operational definitions (CODefs), which are integral across all study elements of real-world evidence (RWE) research. However, creating a robust list of relevant concepts/codes is challenging because of the large number of literature, guidelines, and reference sources that do not cover the same concepts or terminologies, especially for medications. Overcoming these inconsistencies is essential for RWE. We demonstrate creating comprehensive value sets for medications by using multiple relevant reference sources and terminologies.
METHODS: We evaluated four medication value sets and determined which medication was indicated by which reference source and terminology. Results were quantified and compared across reference sources.
RESULTS:

Antibiotic Therapies: 347 medications and two terminologies. 15 sources had a concept coverage range of 1.73% to 80.69% (avg 16.02%). The terminologies had a concept coverage of 70.69% to 92.53%, with four medications not having a code from the included terminologies.

Antidepressant Therapies: 104 medications across seven distinct drug classes and two terminologies. 34 sources had a range of 0.96% to 68.27% (avg 9.56%). The two terminologies had 59.42% and 62.32% coverage, with nineteen medications not having a code from the included terminologies.

Antidiabetic Therapies: 101 medications across ten distinct drug classes and three terminologies. 31 sources had a range of 1.98%-84.16% (avg 14.05%). The terminologies had 34.44% to 76.24% coverage, with eleven medications not having a code from the included terminologies.

Antiobesity Therapies: 47 medications and two terminologies. Eight sources had a range of 4.26% to 53.19% (avg 29.52%). The terminologies cover 90.70% each with four medications not having a code from the included terminologies.

CONCLUSIONS: This demonstrates that while some sources account for a decent percentage of concepts, no source or terminology has 100% coverage. Therefore, harmonizing across multiple reliable reference sources and terminologies is essential for creation of a comprehensive medication value set for RWE.