Validation Study of the Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction Database in Siriraj Hospital, Thailand

Abstract

Objective: Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction (POCD) is a complication that arises in the elderly. Because of the limited knowledge of POCD, researchers must handle a substantial amount of data to ensure the comprehensive collection of all relevant factors. To deal with this data, a validation study is a valuable method that aids in qualifying the data. Materials and Methods: A validation exercise was performed for 40% of the data in the Siriraj POCD database (n=250) in 2020-2023. The validation covered 30 items, including demographic data, surgical and anesthetic factors. The validation study had two components: internal validation, which aimed to assess the completeness, uniformity, plausibility, and accuracy of the data in the database, and external validation, where the results were compared to external literature to confirm their correspondence. Results: The completeness was 99.2% for creatinine and 94.0% for hemoglobin, while others showed 100% completeness. The accuracy ranged from 73.6% to 99.6%, with a median of 97.4%. Most errors found were related to “body weight”, followed by “hemoglobin levels” and “Propofol targeted controlled infusion”, with accuracy rates of 73.6%, 84.0%, and 85.2%, respectively. In the external validation, the POCD incidence at 1 week from surgery in the literature review ranged from 8.9%–46.1% compared to 26.0% in our study. Conclusion: The Siriraj POCD cohort study database was found to be reasonably valid. Therefore, this data can support high-quality research. Our recommendations for developing a good database include implementing a dedicated plan, employing trained staff, and using reliable data sources.