tb_meddra: Create MedDRA tables

In vigicaen: 'VigiBase' Pharmacovigilance Database Toolbox

Create MedDRA tables

Description

Transform MedDRA .ascii files to .parquet files

MedDRA is delivered as ascii files, that you should transform to a more efficient format. Parquet format from arrow has many advantages: It works with out-of-memory data, which makes it possible to process tables on a computer with not-so-much RAM. It is also lightweighted and standard across different langages. The function also creates variables in each table. You should note that NOT all MedDRA tables are processed with this function. Three tables are created: meddra_hierarchy, that respects the System Organ Class hierarchic classification. smq_list and smq_content for Standardized MedDRA Queries. Caution There tends to be small variations in the MedDRA ascii files structure. Last verified version on which this function is working is 26.1. Use dt_parquet() to load the tables afterward.

Usage

tb_meddra(path_meddra)

Arguments

path_meddra

Character string, a directory containing MedDRA ascii tables. It is also the output directory.

Value

.parquet files into the path_meddra directory. Three tables: meddra_hierarchy, smq_list, and smq_content. Some columns are returned as integer (all ⁠*_code⁠ columns). All other columns are character.

See Also

tb_vigibase(), tb_who(), tb_subset(), dt_parquet()

Examples

# Use the examples from tb_main if you want to see these functions in action.

path_meddra <- paste0(tempdir(), "/meddra_directory/")
dir.create(path_meddra)
create_ex_meddra_asc(path_meddra)

tb_meddra(path_meddra = path_meddra)

# Clear temporary files when you're done
unlink(path_meddra, recursive = TRUE)

vigicaen documentation built on April 3, 2025, 8:55 p.m.