Abstract
Objective: Euronet, a case-population surveillance scheme, aims to estimate the risk of certain rare conditions which are commonly iatrogenic, by comparing drug use amongst non-selective cases with overall drug use in the general population.
Methods: The method is based on three provisos: (1) all incident cases (irrespective of suspected aetiology) should be ascertained and studied; (2) a full drug history should be obtained from cases by direct interview; and (3) drug-use data for the products of interest should be available for this population from which cases are chosen. The feasibility of this problem-oriented approach for the identification of new signals of adverse drug reactions and for risk estimation will be tested in relation to agranulocytosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in four defined areas in Europe, totalling 19 × 106 inhabitants, with these latest two outcomes being studied in only three regions. The design, methods and main limitations of this case–population surveillance approach are described.
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Received: 13 January 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 5 September 1997
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Capellà, D., Laporte, JR., Vidal, X. et al. European network for the case–population surveillance of rare diseases (Euronet). A prospective feasibility study. E J Clin Pharmacol 53, 299–302 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002280050382
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002280050382