User interface database for digital SCP-ECG and epidemiological information

The complete and easy-to-use integration of 12-lead diagnostic ECG and various types of epidemiological information is still a difficult task. The P.P.L. (Progetto Policentrico Lombardo) project was initiated in 1993, in order to investigate the incidence of cardiovascular risk factors over a mixed population aged 45-60 yrs, and to improve the risk profile in high-risk subjects during follow-up. The authors developed a database with two main inputs: an 8 page questionnaire containing data relevant to each subject, which is read by an optical mark reader, and a digital 12-lead ECG recorded for 10 seconds with trace, measurements and interpretation (Hes program) and compressed following the SCP-ECG protocol (OEDIPE project). The system is operational and has been tested on 1200 subjects. Using this system the authors are able to produce reports, generate queries and interrogate the database for medical research in a very timely and effective manner.<
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