Over 70 Million Blood Analyses in Nearly 600,000 French Adults between 2010 and 2015 Methodology of the Rubidium Big Data Study

Objectives: Biological tests are key in the management of many patients, but very little is known about their current use. Big data analytics allow learning from our practice. Methods: We conducted a registry from a real world dataset that included all analyses performed in a large subset of laboratories located in the French Brittany between February 17, 2010 and August 30, 2015. We collected the following data: a) demographic characteristics, b) lists of tests ordered and prescription date, c) lists of prescribing physicians, and d) tests results. Results: By September 2015, 22 laboratories were actively participating in the study, 7 in rural and 15 in urban areas. The aggregated data corresponded to raw data of 74,502,510 analyses performed in 585,745 distinct adult patients >20y. Male/female ratio was 0.73; mean age of the study population was 49.8y. Private laboratories performed 63% of the analyses, hospital-based laboratories performed 27% and 10% were performed by emergency medical facilities. Conclusions: This study will examine the current use of biological tests, especially biomarkers, with the goal to better understand physicians’ knowledge of use of biomarkers, physicians’ prescriptions habits, as well as the determination of observed concentrations across different subgroups of patients. Keywords: Big Data; Biomarkers; Medical Practice; Medical Registry