General practice postcode linkages are available for all practices in CPRD GOLD. The general practice postcode is linked via Lower Super Output Area (LSOA), Super Output Area (SOA) in Northern Ireland and datazone (DZ) in Scotland. The general practice postcode linkage includes several well-known area-based measures of deprivation, of which two are available at the LSOA level for linkage to CPRD primary care data through the practice postcode. These measures are: 2015 English Index of Multiple Deprivation (composite and individual domains) 2016 Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (composite and individual domains) 2017 Northern Ireland Index of Multiple Deprivation (composite and individual domains) 2014 Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (composite and individual domains) Carstairs Index: England, Wales and Scotland calculated using 2011 census data.

As standard, the most recent national Indices of Deprivation are provided for each country. It is important to note that the IMD indices are not comparable between countries in the UK. Older versions of the deprivation scores can be provided on request. The data are updated monthly. data are provided as quintiles or deciles of the deprivation score to prevent disclosure of patient location. In order to prevent the possibility of deductive disclosure of the location of a practice, researchers will only be provided with one of the above linked datasets for any one study.