Use of a clinical data registry to evaluate medical technologies. Experience from the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry.

We reviewed the 18 disease-specific evaluations that used the data base of the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry to determine the effectiveness of alternative strategies for bone marrow transplant. We identify 17 treatment variables that physicians can control and report the associations between these variables and five clinical endpoints: stable engraftment, graft-versus-host disease, development of interstitial pneumonia, relapse, and disease-free survival. We also suggest policies to promote active participation in establishing and operating a registry.