Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40155956›Full record

ArticleAntimicrobial resistance and infection control2025

Enhancing antimicrobial resistance surveillance and research: a systematic scoping review on the possibilities, yield and methods of data linkage studies.

S A M van Kessel, C C H Wielders, A F Schoffelen, A Verbon

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

S A M van KesselCentre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Sophie.van.kessel@rivm.nl.
C C H WieldersCentre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
A F SchoffelenCentre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
A VerbonDepartment of Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSurveillance data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants such as antibiotic use, prevalence of AMR, antimicrobial stewardship, and infection prevention and control are mostly analysed and reported separately, although they are inextricably linked to each other. The impact of surveillance and research can be enhanced by linking these data. This systematic scoping review aims to summarize the studies that link AMR data and evaluate whether they yield new results, implications, or recommendations for practice.

methodsFor this review, data linkage is defined as the process of linking records, from at least two independent data sources on either (I) at least two AMR determinants or (II) one AMR determinant and one or more general population characteristics. Data linkage should be performed on the level of a certain entity which, in the context of this review, can encompass persons, healthcare institutes, geographical regions or countries. A systematic literature search was performed on February 7th 2025 in Embase.com, PubMed and Scopus to identify AMR data linkage studies.

resultsForty-eight articles were included in our review. Most data linkage studies used two data sources, and most studies were published in the last 5 years (n = 23 in 2020-2024). A predominance of studies linked data on geographical location, and thirteen studies linked data on individual patient level. Findings demonstrate that the majority of studies (43/48) had added value and provided recommendations for clinical practice and future policies or had suggestions for further research and surveillance. Additionally, data linkage studies appeared to be suitable for hypothesis generating. Several limitations were identified. Most studies had ecological designs, which are prone to ecological fallacy and unobserved confounding, making it hard to establish causality.

conclusionThis systematic scoping review showed that AMR data linkage studies are increasingly performed. They have potential to gain a more comprehensive understanding of AMR dynamics by generating hypotheses, assisting in optimisation of surveillance, and interpretation of data in the context of guideline/policy development. To increase the added value of data linkage, more studies should be performed to improve knowledge on methodological approaches, data access, data management, and governance issues. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsDrug Resistance, BacterialEpidemiological MonitoringInformation Storage and RetrievalAntimicrobial StewardshipHumansAnti-Bacterial AgentsAntimicrobial resistanceData linkageEpidemiologyScoping reviewSurveillance data

Identifiers

PMID40155956
PMCPMC11954275

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.