# MISSING AND MISMEASURED DATA IN STUDIES OF THE ELDERLY

> **NIH NIH R01** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 1993 · $107,749

## Abstract

Missing data and errors of measurement are common problems in studies of
the elderly. The two problems are related because investigators must
frequently choose between detailed assessments, which may be more
difficult to obtain from the oldest old and the impaired, and brief
assessments obtainable from proxies or computerized records which may
increase measurement error. A particular problem with nonresponse occurs
when missing data are related to measures of interest, such as cognitive
function. Measurement error may also be greater in studies of the elderly
both because of greater variability of some physiologic measures and
because self-reported information may be affected by memory, attention or
depression.

The long-term objective of this application is to extend and apply
recently developed statistical methods to account for missing data and
measurement error in studies of the elderly. Specific questions to be
addressed include: l) adjustment for nonresponse in estimating cognitive
decline in longitudinal studies; 2) accounting for measurement error in
evaluating the consequences of cognitive impairment; 3) adjustment for
greater variability of systolic blood pressure in the elderly when
determining the risk of cardiovascular outcomes; 4) accounting for the
difficulty in obtaining objective measures of physical function from the
most impaired; 5) assessment of the relative accuracy of self-report
versus claims data to identify myocardial infarction; and 6) development
of improved measures of comorbidity in linked Medicare and Medicaid
databases. A key feature of several of the approaches to be applied is
incorporation of data from a sample of nonrespondents who are followed up
or from an external validation study to improve estimation of effects of
interest.

The methods will be applied to data from the Established Populations for
Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly and to linked Medicare and Medicaid
claims data available for over 10 years in New Jersey. Approaches
described will be applicable to the design and analysis of many studies of
aging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3123805
- **Project number:** 1R01AG012106-01
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** QN6MS4VN7BD1
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert J Glynn
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1993
- **Award amount:** $107,749
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1993-09-30 → 1996-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3123805

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3123805, MISSING AND MISMEASURED DATA IN STUDIES OF THE ELDERLY (1R01AG012106-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3123805. Licensed CC0.

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