Validation of underlying cause of death in selected neoplasms in Serrana microregion, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Objective: This study aimed to validate the underlying cause of death from brain neoplasm, esophagus cancer, stomach cancer, leukemia and lymphoma in residents older than 19 years in the cities of Petrópolis and Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2007. Methods: The validation process was carried out by comparing the cause of death reported in the death certificate (DC) with the information contained in the individual medical records, which were taken as reference. Medical records were reviewed for 130 DCs. Results: The positive predictive value was 88.9% for esophagus cancer, 94.1% for stomach cancer, 90.0% for brain neoplasm and 100% for leukemia and lymphoma. There was no difference in the magnitude of mortality rates obtained from the original data and those estimated after validation. Conclusion: We concluded that the information about the underlying cause of death from these cancers in Petrópolis and Teresópolis counties are sufficiently valid to be used in epidemiological studies.