Searching the IDIS Index Database

The Search option includes all of the fields in the IDIS index record.

The searchable fields are:

All Fields
Drugs
Diseases
Descriptors
Title
Author(s)
Abstract
Journal Citation
Article Number
Sequence Number

Field searching is used to limit the search to specific fields of the index record. Type the search term(s) in the specific field to be searched. Where available, click on the button beside a field to see a list of available terms for that field. Click on the Search button to execute the search.

Multiple terms may be searched in a specific field. For example, to retrieve index records that contain both TRIMETHOPRIM and SULFAMETHOXAZOLE as drug terms in the Drug field, enter both terms connected with an AND in the Drug field. Different search terms may be entered in separate fields for combination field searching. The Connection or Boolean box beside the field box determines the search behavior.

All Fields allows for searching of Title, Author, Journal, Drug, Disease, Descriptor and Abstract fields as well as searching the Drug and Disease Thesauri for cross reference terms. The Drug and Disease Thesauri are also searched when searching in the Drug and Disease fields. Only valid terms may be used in the Descriptor field.

Logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) can be entered within a field to look for records based on more than one term. The pulldown box beside the field determines the search behavior when more than one field is searched. The default logical operator is AND. Click on the arrow in the box to change the operator to OR or NOT. The retrieval system builds the search statement by combining fields starting at the top of the search screen and reading from left to right.

A controlled vocabulary of drug, disease and descriptor terms (valid search terms) is used to index each journal article. Use the Thesaurus to identify valid search terms.

When searching with valid terms, use either the valid term or code number. For example, the valid disease term and code number for congestive heart failure is FAILURE, HEART, CONGESTIVE 428.0. Either FAILURE, HEART, CONGESTIVE or 428.0 may be used for searching the disease term. The decimal number is part of the disease code number and must be entered in the search statement when using the disease code number. For a drug example, the valid drug term and code number for taxol is PACLITAXEL 10120090. Either PACLITAXEL or 10120090 may be used for searching the drug term. For a descriptor example, the valid term and code for gastrointestinal adverse effects of drugs is SIDE EF DIGESTIVE 78.

Text word searching is used is used to retrieve index records with a specific word or phrase. Text word searching may be used to search All Fields, the Title field and Abstract field of the index record. Note: The Abstract field was added to the index record with the January 1995 update.

The Thesaurus contains all valid drug, disease and descriptor terms as well as cross reference terms and synonyms for these valid terms. All valid terms appear in uppercase and are followed by their code number. (DR) identifies entries for drug terms, (DI) for disease terms, and (DE) for descriptors.

Valid search terms found in the Thesaurus can be selected and submitted to a searchable field on the Search screen. Search terms can also be selected from an index record using copy and paste.

AUTHOR SEARCHING

The format for an author name is: Smith J P L

To search for a specific author, use the Author field on the Search screen. Authors are listed by last name, followed by up to three initials. Up to five authors (or four authors and et al) may be listed. When entering a name in the Author Field, the last name and all initials must be separated by a space.

JOURNAL SEARCHING

A search can be limited to a specific journal by using the Journal field on the Search screen. Journal title abbreviations must be used in this field. To find the correct title abbreviation, use the button beside the field.

THERAPEUTIC DRUG CLASS SEARCHING

Each valid drug term in the IDIS database is assigned its own unique code number, usually a modified AHFS number. The beginning numbers of the drug code identifies the therapeutic class to which the drug term has been assigned. For example, CAPTOPRIL (an ACE inhibitor) has been assigned the code number 24080203. All drugs classified as ACE inhibitors begin with the numbers 240802. Ace inhibitors are classified as a subcategory of hypotensive agents. Hypotensive agents begin with the numbers 2408. These drugs all belong to a larger class of drugs identified as cardiovascular agents that begin with the numbers 24.

24 CARDIOVASCULAR AGENTS
2408 HYPOTENSIVE AGENTS
240802 HYPOTENSIVE AGENTS-ACE INHIB
24080203 CAPTOPRIL

Since drugs assigned to a specific therapeutic class begin with the same code numbers, the entire therapeutic class of drugs can be searched at one time by using the truncated drug code for that class, e.g. "240802*" or 240802*. (Double quotes can be typed or omitted.) Use the Thesaurus or Drug Hierarchy to identify the appropriate truncated drug code for a therapeutic class of drugs. The truncated drug code is listed below the entry for the therapeutic category and is preceded by the word Search. The Thesaurus entry looks like this:

(DR) HYPOTENSIVE AGENTS-ACE INHIB 24080200
      Search 240802*

For example, if you are interested in the use of ACE inhibitors in diabetic nephropathy, select the truncated drug code 240802* (the double quotes can be typed or omitted when truncating) and combine with the disease term DIABETES, RENAL MANIFEST, the valid disease term for diabetic nephropathy. This search will retrieve all articles in the database that contain information on an ACE inhibitor and diabetic nephropathy.

To search all drugs classified as ACE inhibitors use the truncated drug code 240802* (with or without the double quotes). Using the truncated drug code for a therapeutic class of drugs allows you to search all drug terms within a given class at one time, rather than searching each drug term separately.

Note: The search process may be slower than normal when searching a therapeutic drug class that contains a large number of drug terms.

TRUNCATING SEARCH TERMS

Terms may be truncated to find all possible forms of the word by using the asterisk (*). For example, "prescript*" (the double quotes can be typed or omitted when truncating) would retrieve prescription, prescriptions and prescriptive.

SEARCH LIMITS

Publication Year

A search may be limited to a year or range of years by using the Year fields on the Search screen. To limit the search to a specific year or range, select the year in the Year From and Year To fields.

DISPLAY AND RESULT LIST SCREEN

After executing a search, a screen is displayed showing the results. Several display options are available. Records can be selected for printing, exporting or emailing.