TriNetX and Real-World Evidence: A Critical Review of Its Strengths, Limitations, and Bias Considerations in Clinical Research

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Authors

  • Mahmoud Nassar Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5401-9562
      Competing Interests

      N/A

    • Hazem Abosheaishaa Internal Medicine Department, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC H+H Queens, New York, NY, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5581-8702 (unauthenticated)
        Competing Interests
        The authors declare no competing interests that could have influenced the objectivity or outcome of this research.
      • Khaled Elfert Division of Gastroenterology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5554-6252 (unauthenticated)
          Competing Interests
          The authors declare no competing interests that could have influenced the objectivity or outcome of this research.
        • Azizullah Beran Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4161-942X (unauthenticated)
            Competing Interests
            The authors declare no competing interests that could have influenced the objectivity or outcome of this research.
          • Abdellatif Ismail Department of Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown, Baltimore, MD, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1854-4569
              Competing Interests
              The authors declare no competing interests that could have influenced the objectivity or outcome of this research.
            • Mouhand Mohamed Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4761-8014 (unauthenticated)
                Competing Interests
                The authors declare no competing interests that could have influenced the objectivity or outcome of this research.
              • Anoop Misra National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), New Delhi, Delhi, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5785-5833
                  Competing Interests
                  The authors declare no competing interests that could have influenced the objectivity or outcome of this research.
                • Muhammed Amir Essibayi Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8325-2382 (unauthenticated)
                    Competing Interests
                    The authors declare no competing interests that could have influenced the objectivity or outcome of this research.
                  • David J. Altschul Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5130-1378 (unauthenticated)
                      Competing Interests
                      The authors declare no competing interests that could have influenced the objectivity or outcome of this research.
                    • Ahmed Y. Azzam Montefiore-Einstein Cerebrovascular Research Lab, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4256-0159 (unauthenticated)
                        Competing Interests

                        None

                      DOI:

                      https://doi.org/10.71079/ASIDE.IM.03222516

                      Abstract

                      Introduction: The increasing utilization of real-world data platforms in medical research necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their methodological strengths and limitations. TriNetX has emerged as a significant platform for exploring large healthcare datasets. This review aims to critically evaluate the methodological framework and limitations of TriNetX, assess the impact of electronic health record coding accuracy on data reliability, and analyze the platform's capacity for generating generalizable real-world evidence in clinical research.

                      Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review examining TriNetX's data architecture, quality metrics, and research applications, focusing on data integrity, platform architecture, and the external validity of research findings.

                      Results: The analysis reveals significant methodological considerations. TriNetX's reliance on retrospective data introduces biases such as selection bias and confounding variables. The coding accuracy of electronic health records, which have not been independently validated, is a critical determinant of data reliability. The demographic representation is limited, affecting the generalizability of results.

                      Discussion: Despite its extensive use, TriNetX's effective utilization requires careful consideration of its inherent limitations. The platform's data, predominantly from insured populations in academic and acute care settings, may not fully represent broader demographic groups. Addressing these methodological constraints is crucial for enhancing the reliability and applicability of research findings derived from TriNetX.

                      Conclusions: TriNetX is a valuable resource for healthcare research. However, its limitations must be acknowledged, and future research should focus on standardizing data collection and enhancing data validation processes to mitigate platform-specific biases and improve the quality and applicability of the findings.

                      Keywords:

                      TriNetX, Clinical Research, Data Quality, Real-World Evidence, Research Methodology

                      Author Biography

                      • Anoop Misra, National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), New Delhi, Delhi, India

                        Chairman, Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, 
                        Chairman, National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC),
                        President, Diabetes Foundation (India) (DFI) India

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                      Data Availability Statement

                      Data Availability Statement: This review article does not contain any new primary data. All information discussed is derived from previously published sources and publicly available databases, as cited in the manuscript.

                       
                      TriNetX Strengths, Limitations, and Bias Considerations in Clinical Research

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                      Published

                      2025-03-22

                      How to Cite

                      1.
                      Nassar M, Abosheaishaa H, Elfert K, et al. TriNetX and Real-World Evidence: A Critical Review of Its Strengths, Limitations, and Bias Considerations in Clinical Research. ASIDE Int Med. 2025;1(2):24-32. doi:10.71079/ASIDE.IM.03222516

                      Article history

                      Received
                      21 Dec 2024
                      Received in revised form
                      9 Feb 2025
                      Accepted
                      16 Feb 2025
                      Published
                      22 Mar 2025

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