Standardised MedDRA Queries (SMQs)

Standardised MedDRA Queries (SMQs) are groupings of terms from one or more MedDRA System Organ Classes (SOCs) that relate to a defined medical condition or area of interest. They are intended to aid in case identification. The included terms may relate to signs, symptoms, diagnoses, syndromes, physical findings, laboratory, and other physiologic test data, etc., related to the medical condition or area of interest.

SMQs were developed to facilitate retrieval of MedDRA-coded data as a first step in investigating drug safety issues in pharmacovigilance and clinical development.

SMQs are included in each MedDRA release. To download SMQs, please go to the MedDRA downloads page for the current MedDRA version. The following links provide information about SMQs:

• Status of SMQs in Production and Development (as of Sep 2010) (.doc)
• Production SMQ Spreadsheet (.zip, .xls) (Subscriber login required)
• SMQ Original Documentation from CIOMS WG (as of Mar 2010) (.zip, .pdf) (Subscriber login required)
• How to submit change requests (including SMQs)
• Frequently Asked Questions about SMQs
• Consideration of Requests for New SMQs (.pdf)
• Roles of ICH Advisory Panel, Management Board, and CIOMS SMQ Working Group (.doc)
• Rejected, Discontinued, and Suspended SMQs (.xls)
• Development and Rational Use of Standardised MedDRA Queries (SMQs) (.pdf)

Please note: For optimal use of SMQs, subscribers are encouraged to read the SMQ Introductory Guide prior to use. (Subscriber login required)

Please provide the MSSO with SMQ feedback.

Access the SMQ Archive for earlier versions of SMQs, articles, and presentations.

CIOMS SMQ Working Group (Login required).