A comparative study on iMed(©) and European database for multiple sclerosis to propose a common language of multiple sclerosis data elements

CONTEXT: Establishing and developing minimum data set (MDS), controlled vocabularies, taxonomies and classification systems are requirements of health information system in every society. AIMS: The aim of this study was to propose an integrated multiple sclerosis (MS) data set by comparing European database for multiple sclerosis (EDMUS Coordinating Center Lyon, France) and iMed(©) software's (iMed, Merck Serono SA - Geneva). EDMUS is being developed at the EDMUS coordinating centers in Lyon, France and iMed(©) is owned and distributed by Merck Serono in Geneva, Switzerland. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: Retrieval of data of MDS performed through scholars responsible in related agencies and clinics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was an applied. The study was comparative-exploratory. In this study, data elements in iMed(©) and EDMUS software's were compared. Data collecting tool was data raw form. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Results analyzing was carried out in a descriptive-comparative method. MS data elements were proposed in three general categories: administrative; clinical; and socio-economic. In this study, a MS data set was suggested by studying data elements of EDMUS and iMed(©) softwares. RESULTS: The MS data set includes administrative, clinical and socio-economic data elements that collect information of MS patients during the treatment course. iMed(©), EDMUS and other available databases are suitable patterns for determining and recognizing MS key data elements. CONCLUSION: Developing MS data set in this study and studying other available MS information systems result in establishing standardized MS data set. By establishing this data set, it will be possible to present MS MDS internationally. MS MDS is the main base of establishing MS information systems at different levels.