Limitations Associated with the Analysis of Data from Administrative Databases

Abstract

To the Editor:— It is with great interest that I read the article entitled “Trends and Outcomes of Malignant Hyperthermia in the United States, 2000 to 2005” by Rosero et al. 1 This study is an example of how nationally representative databases designed for administrative purposes can be used to provide insight into otherwise difficult-to-study, low-incidence clinical events and outcomes, and the authors should be commended for their work. In this article, data collected for the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) are analyzed, leading to the conclusion that the incidence of malignant hyperthermia (MH) has increased in recent years and is higher than previously reported. However, while information extracted from nonclinical databases can be of tremendous value, it cannot be stressed enough that their design has to be carefully taken into account when interpreting study results.