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Comparative Study
. 2025 Apr 4;25(1):1285.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22425-9.

Equivalence of electronic health record data for measuring hypertension prevalence: a retrospective comparison to BRFSS with data from two Indiana health systems, 2021

Katie S Allen  1   2 , Justin Stiles  3   4 , Veronica M Daye  5 , Ashley Wiensch  3 , Nimish Valvi  6 , Brian E Dixon  3   7
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Equivalence of electronic health record data for measuring hypertension prevalence: a retrospective comparison to BRFSS with data from two Indiana health systems, 2021

Katie S Allen et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Public health surveillance requires timely access to actionable data at every level. Current approaches for accessing chronic disease surveillance data are not sufficient, and health departments are increasingly looking to augment surveillance efforts using electronic health records (EHRs). While proven effective for acute syndromic surveillance, the utilization of EHR systems and health data networks for monitoring chronic conditions remains sparse. This study tested the generalizability of a previously validated hypertension computable phenotype.

Methods: A previously developed phenotype was used to estimate prevalence of hypertension in a geographically and clinically distinct region from its development. To test validity, the results were compared to available, statewide Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data using the two one-sided t-test (TOST) of equivalence between BRFSS- and EHR-based prevalence estimates. The TOST was performed at the overall level as well as stratified by age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

Results: Compared to statewide hypertension prevalence of 34.5% in the BRFSS, an EHR-based phenotype estimated an overall prevalence of 24.1%. Estimates were not equivalent overall or across most subpopulations. Like BRFSS, we observed higher prevalence among Black men and women as well as increasing prevalence with age.

Conclusion: With caveats, this study demonstrates that EHR-derived prevalence estimates may serve as a complement for population-based survey estimates. Utilizing available EHR data should increase timeliness of surveillance as well as enhance the ability of states and local health agencies to more readily address the burden of chronic disease in their respective jurisdictions.

Keywords: Chronic conditions; Public health; Public health surveillance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was reviewed by the Indiana University Institutional Review Board (IRB) and deemed non-human subjects. Consent to participate was also waived by the IRB. Only aggregate data was utilized for the analyses presented within this manuscript and thefore no individual persons data is included. This research adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki. All methods were carried out in accordance wih relevant guidelines and regulations. Consent for publication: N/A. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

References

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