Automatic electronic reporting improved the completeness of AMI and stroke incident surveillance in Tianjin, China: a modeling study

Abstract Background AMI and stroke are the leading causes of premature mortality and hospitalizations in China. Incidence data at the population level for the two diseases is limited and the reliability and completeness of the existing incidence registry have not been investigated. We aim to assess if the completeness of case ascertainment of AMI and stroke incidence has improved since the implementation of electronic reporting and to estimate the incidence of AMI and stroke in Tianjin, China. Methods We applied the DisMod II program to model the incidence of AMI and stroke from other epidemiological indicators. Inputs include mortality rates from Tianjin’s mortality surveillance system, and the point prevalence, remission rates and relative risks taken from IHME’s Global Burden of Disease studies. The completeness of AMI and stroke incidence reporting was assessed by comparing the sex and age-specific incidence rates derived from the incidence surveillance system with the modeled incidence rates. Results The age and sex standardized modeled incidence per 100,000 person-year decreased (p