USRDS End-Stage Renal Disease

Overview

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Data Linkage Program connects NCHS survey data with data from other agencies. NCHS links data from its surveys with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) data. ESRD data are available from the (USRDS). The ESRD data are divided into six files—

1. Match status
2. Patient profile
3. Medical evidence report
4. Detailed treatment history
5. Condensed treatment history
6. Payer history

Linking these data sources allows researchers to study changes in health and health care utilization among patients diagnosed with ESRD. ESRD patient data are available for 1974–2018. Linked ESRD data are available for participants who—

• Consented for linkage
• Agreed to provide personal identification data to NCHS

Data are available for participants whom NCHS was able to match with USRDS administrative records.

Due to risk of disclosure, no public-use or feasibility study files have been created for the linked ESRD data.

NCHS surveys linked to USRDS ESRD data

• National Health Interview Survey (1994–2018)
• National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2018)
• National Nursing Home Survey (2004)
• NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study
• Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
• Second Longitudinal Study of Aging

Linked NCHS-USRDS ESRD data bibliography

• Linked USRDS data citation list (rev. 05/12/2025)

Restricted-use data

Restricted-use NCHS-USRDS linked data files can be accessed only through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC) network for approved research projects.

Restricted-use data dictionaries

• Match status (11/02/2021)
• Patient profile (11/02/2021)
• Medical evidence report (11/02/2021)
• Detailed treatment history (11/02/2021)
• Condensed treatment history (11/02/2021)
• Payer history (11/02/2021)
  

Variable list

• Variable list for restricted-use NCHS-USRDS ESRD files (1974–2018) files

Linkage methods and analytic support

• The Linkage of National Center for Health Statistics Survey Data to United States Renal Data System (USRDS) End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patient Data Linkage Methodology and Analytic Considerations (10/28/2021)
• Match rate table
• Linked USRDS data citation list (rev. 10/22/2024)
• Sample sizes for restricted-use NCHS-USRDS ESRD
• Linkage of NCHS Population Health Surveys to Administrative Records from Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (09/2015)