UMLS Database Query Diagrams:
How to perform searches in the source history file (MRHIST.RRF)

This diagram shows how to perform searches in the source history file (MRHIST.RRF).

As of the UMLS 2008AB release, only source history for SNOMED CT is represented in the UMLS. In their history model, records are created for concept identifiers (SCUI) and description identifiers (SAUI). Thus, a search for either of these fields in the MRHIST SOURCEUI field will yield information about the history of these elements (as asserted by the source).

The diagram models a join with MRCONSO.RRF to indicate that the UMLS does not attempt to map the SOURCEUI field to a UMLS UI field other than CUI. Thus, if you were to have an AUI and wanted to find any source asserted history information about its SAUI, SCUI, or SDUI you would have to search for that atom's CUI value in MRHIST.RRF and join SOURCEUI on the appropriate source asserted identifier (SAUI, SCUI, SDUI, CODE).

Corresponding Oracle Queries:

1. Find source history information for a SNOMED CT Concept.

SELECT b.* FROM mrconso a, mrhist b
WHERE a.cui = b.cui
    AND a.scui = b.sourceui
    AND a.sab = b.sab
    AND a.scui = '159558008'
    AND a.sab = 'SNOMEDCT';

2. Find source history information for a SNOMED CT Description.

SELECT b.* FROM mrconso a, mrhist b
WHERE a.cui = b.cui
    AND a.saui = b.sourceui
    AND a.sab = b.sab
    AND a.saui = '540359010'
    AND a.sab = 'SNOMEDCT';

Last Reviewed: July 29, 2016