Embase

Embase (often styled EMBASE for Excerpta Medica dataBASE) is a biomedical and pharmacological bibliographic database of published literature designed to support information managers and pharmacovigilance in complying with the regulatory requirements of a licensed drug. Embase, produced by Elsevier, contains over 32 million records from over 8,500 currently published journals from 1947 to the present. Through its international coverage, daily updates, and drug indexing with EMTREE, Embase enables tracking and retrieval of drug information in the published literature. Each record is fully indexed and Articles in Press are available for some records and In Process are available for all records, ahead of full indexing. Embase's international coverage expands across biomedical journals from 95 countries and is available through a number of database vendors.

History

In 1946, the beginnings of Embase was created as Excerpta Medica (EM) Abstract Journals by a group of Dutch physicians who promoted the flow of medical knowledge and reports post World War II. Included in EM were 13 journal sections which categorized the medical school curriculum by anatomy, pathology, physiology, internal medicine, and other basic clinical specialties. This database lasted until 1972 when it merged with Elsevier.

In 1972, EM had joined with Elsevier and later, in 1975, formed EMBASE (Excerpta Medica database) which had released electronic access to abstract journals. Following feedback from the EMBASE user community, EMBASE Classic was created as a separate database to supplement EMBASE as a backfile of medical journals from 1947-1973 which provides valuable documentation of drugs, adverse effects, endogenous compounds, etc. found at the time.

In 2010, Excerpta Medica, excluding EMBASE, was sold by Elsevier to the Omnicom Group.

Current status

In addition to the 28 million reports, Embase's database steadily rises each year at a rate of over 900,000 records. This wide expanse of information is used in both professional and educational environments for retrieving any published biomedical or drug related information. Currently, Embase allows further customization for a personal experience such as implementing a RSS feed and email alert system. With new drug and disease-related information constantly released, Embase is updated daily to provide a comprehensive and reliable source of information.

See also

• List of academic databases and search engines
• Index medicus
• MEDLINE
• Cochrane Library

Further reading

• Kleijnen, Jos; Knipschild, Paul (1992). "The comprehensiveness of Medline and Embase computer searches". Pharmaceutisch Weekblad Scientific Edition. 14 (5): 316–320. doi:10.1007/BF01977620. PMID 1437515. S2CID 3195390.
• Lefebvre, Carol; Eisinga, Anne; McDonald, Steve; Paul, Nina (2008). "Enhancing access to reports of randomized trials published world-wide - the contribution of EMBASE records to the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library". Emerging Themes in Epidemiology. 5 (1): 13. doi:10.1186/1742-7622-5-13. PMC 2586626. PMID 18826567.
• Sampson, M (2003). "Should meta-analysts search Embase in addition to Medline?". Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 56 (10): 943–955. doi:10.1016/S0895-4356(03)00110-0. PMID 14568625.
• Golder, Su; Wright, Kath; Rodgers, Mark (December 2014). "Failure or success of search strategies to identify adverse effects of medical devices: a feasibility study using a systematic review". Systematic Reviews. 3 (1): 113. doi:10.1186/2046-4053-3-113. PMC 4203467. PMID 25312884.

External links

• Embase — description at Elsevier
• Homepage
• Dunikowski, Lynn G. (10 September 2005). "EMBASE and MEDLINE searches". Canadian Family Physician. 51 (9): 1191. PMC 1479462. PMID 16190167.