Table 2 Central register databases, Norway and Denmark

Treatment and health services

National quality register for the treatment of harmful substance uses or addiction (KVARUS)

Register on specialist drug treatment-services (TSB), containing information about patient’s health and life situation, clinical variables, patient satisfaction and other outcomes after treatment.

Registry of Drug Users receiving Treatment (SIB) 

Register of patients referred to inpatient and outpatient drug-treatment services. Containing clinical variables, type of medication, admission and discharge dates, demographic information.

The National Register on Treatment with Heroin and Methadone (IHM)

Case registry of patients receiving treatment with injectable heroin or methadone. Includes variables on the courses (dates of admission, injection/tablet modality), as well as self-reported information about substance use, risk behavior, physical and mental illnesses, social burden, and crime.

Danish Registration and Information System (DanRIS)

Register from 2000 to 2010 and includes data on treatment episodes in residential rehabilitation.

Health status and health-care utilization

Norwegian Patient Register (NPR)

National register on all patients in specialist psychiatric and somatic health care. Contains variables on diagnoses (ICD-10 codes), and modes time of treatment, and demographic information.

Danish National Patient Registry (LPR)

National register of patients in somatic and psychiatric hospital care. Contains variables on diagnoses (ICD-10 codes), and modes time of treatment, and demographic information.

Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPed)

National prescriptions database through pharmacies for all Norwegian patients in both primary and specialist care.

Danish National Prescription Register (DNPR)

National prescription database for all danish patients through both pharmacies and health institutions such as hospitals and drug treatment centers.

Norwegian Register on Traumas and Injuries (NTR)

Register with information on date and cause of physical trauma and accidents, death, and basic demographic variables.

Health Insurance Statistics

Register on the consumption of health care services within the primary public health care sector.

The Database on Control and Payment of Public Health Reimbursements (KUHR)

Register containing information on public health reimbursements in primary and specialist health care services, profession of health personnel, type of treatment, dates and locations, and diagnosis.

Mortality and causes of death

The Norwegian Cause of Death Registry (DÅR)

The official cause of death statistics for Norway, including ICD-10-diagnosis, time, and place, causes and certificates of death.

Cause of Death Registry (DAR)

The official cause of death statistics for Denmark, including ICD-10-diagnosis, time, and place, causes and certificates of death

Demographic and socioeconomic variables

National Population Register (Norwegian Tax Administration)

Detailed information on all persons currently or have been residents in Norway. The register contains a wide range of socio-demographic variables, such as gender, date of birth, country of origin, current address, family relationships and civil status.

Population Register (BEF)

Detailed information on all persons currently or has been residents in Denmark. The register contains a wide range of socio-demographic variables, such as gender, date of birth, country of origin, current address, family relationships and civil status.

Statistics Norway (SSB)

National register of all citizen’s education, employment status, income, and social security benefits (e.g., disability pension, welfare support).

Statistics Denmark (DST)

National register of all citizen’s education, employment status, income, and social security benefits (e.g., disability pension, welfare support).

Criminal activity

Central Criminal Registry of Norway (STRASAK)

Information about reported criminal offenses, their date and type as well as records of convictions and imprisonments.

Danish crime registers (KRSI and KRAF)

Information about reported criminal offenses, their date and type as well as records of convictions and imprisonments.