Am J Cancer Res 2013;3(5): 518-522
Original Article
The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) most accurately reflects true survival for
older oncology patients
Justin T Huntington, Mathew Butterfield, James Fisher, Daniel Torrent, Mark Bloomston
Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; College of Public Health,
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Surgery, East Carolina University,
Greenville, NC, USA
Received August 28, 2013; Accepted September 29, 2013; Epub November 1, 2013; Published November 15, 2013
Abstract: Introduction: The ability to ascertain survival information is important for retrospective and prospective studies. Two
databases that can be used are the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) and the National Death Index (NDI). Although the NDI is
more complete, there are advantages to the SSDI such as ease of use and cost. The intent of this study was to determine
accuracy of the SSDI. Methods: Publically available data on all known deceased individuals in the state of Ohio in 2003 were
obtained from the State of Ohio Department of Health. A random sample of 63,557 of these were compared to the SSDI to
identify risk factor for inclusion/exclusion. Results: Overall, 94.7% of all death records were confirmed by the SSDI. Age at death,
gender, race, ethnicity, and cause of death were all found to significantly affect the likelihood of inclusion. Specifically, people
aged 18-24 were included only 79.8% of the time compared to 96.2% for those over the age of 65. Also, malignancy as cause of
death resulted in a 95.3% inclusion while trauma as a cause of death led to 86.5% inclusion. While Caucasians had an
inclusion of 95.6%, African Americans were included only 87.8% of the time. Hispanics and women also had lower inclusion
rates. Discussion: The SSDI is a strong tool for following up on participants lost to follow up in certain populations but is weaker
in others. The SSDI would be particularly useful in a population that is largely older, Caucasian, or has malignant disease.
(ajcr0000225).
Keywords: Social, security, death, index, SSDI, NDI, survival
Address correspondence to: Dr. Mark Bloomston, Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical
Center, N924 Doan Hall, 410 W. 10th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Tel: 614-293-4583; Fax: 614-293-4583; E-mail:
Mark.Bloomston@osumc.edu
Original Article
The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) most accurately reflects true survival for
older oncology patients
Justin T Huntington, Mathew Butterfield, James Fisher, Daniel Torrent, Mark Bloomston
Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; College of Public Health,
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Surgery, East Carolina University,
Greenville, NC, USA
Received August 28, 2013; Accepted September 29, 2013; Epub November 1, 2013; Published November 15, 2013
Abstract: Introduction: The ability to ascertain survival information is important for retrospective and prospective studies. Two
databases that can be used are the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) and the National Death Index (NDI). Although the NDI is
more complete, there are advantages to the SSDI such as ease of use and cost. The intent of this study was to determine
accuracy of the SSDI. Methods: Publically available data on all known deceased individuals in the state of Ohio in 2003 were
obtained from the State of Ohio Department of Health. A random sample of 63,557 of these were compared to the SSDI to
identify risk factor for inclusion/exclusion. Results: Overall, 94.7% of all death records were confirmed by the SSDI. Age at death,
gender, race, ethnicity, and cause of death were all found to significantly affect the likelihood of inclusion. Specifically, people
aged 18-24 were included only 79.8% of the time compared to 96.2% for those over the age of 65. Also, malignancy as cause of
death resulted in a 95.3% inclusion while trauma as a cause of death led to 86.5% inclusion. While Caucasians had an
inclusion of 95.6%, African Americans were included only 87.8% of the time. Hispanics and women also had lower inclusion
rates. Discussion: The SSDI is a strong tool for following up on participants lost to follow up in certain populations but is weaker
in others. The SSDI would be particularly useful in a population that is largely older, Caucasian, or has malignant disease.
(ajcr0000225).
Keywords: Social, security, death, index, SSDI, NDI, survival
Address correspondence to: Dr. Mark Bloomston, Division of Surgical Oncology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical
Center, N924 Doan Hall, 410 W. 10th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Tel: 614-293-4583; Fax: 614-293-4583; E-mail:
Mark.Bloomston@osumc.edu
| AJCR Copyright © 2010-present, All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711, USA |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
American Journal of Cancer Research
| ISSN: 2156-6976 |