topic Re: PRXMATCH function with a macro variable (whose value contains a forward slash) not working in SAS Programming

PRXMATCH function with a macro variable (whose value contains a forward slash) not working

muhuri — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 04:59:25 GMT

I am using PRXMATCH with a Perl regular expression(RegEx) in a WHERE clause in PROC PRINT. The RegEx includes a macro variable containing a drug list and one of these drug names includes a forward slash. I am getting an error even after using a escape character (back slash) in the RegEx. I would appreciate your help resolve the issue.

Partial SAS Log:

* Create a macro variable of study drugs;
%let STUDY_DRUG_LIST = Propantheline|Propoxyphene|Reserpine|Ticlopidine|Trimethobenzamide|DIPHEN/ATROP;

* Create an example data set of prescription fills (patient ID and drug names) ;
Data work.pmed;
input dupersid: $10.  rxname $20.;
datalines;
2320038102 NITROFURANTN
2320038102 EZETIMIBE
2320038102 Propantheline
2320040101 Reserpine
2320040101 Reserpine
2320040101 NOVOLOG
2320040101 NOVOLOG
2320040105 DIPHEN/ATROP
2320040105 DIPHEN/ATROP
2320040105 DIPHEN/ATROP
;

* List observations using PRXMATCH with a Perl regular expression in the WHERE clause (Study drug list);
proc print data=work.pmed;
where prxmatch ("/&study_drug_list2 \//i", rxname);
run;

Re: PRXMATCH function with a macro variable (whose value contains a forward slash) not working

muhuri — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 05:01:12 GMT

Corrected: where prxmatch ("/&study_drug_list\//i", rxname);

Re: PRXMATCH function with a macro variable (whose value contains a forward slash) not working

ChrisNZ — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 05:22:19 GMT

You need to escape the slash:

%let study_drug_list = Propantheline|Propoxyphene|Reserpine|Ticlopidine|Trimethobenzamide|DIPHEN\/TROP;

You can do that on the fly if needed:

%let study_drug_list2 = %sysfunc(transtrn(&study_drug_list,/,\/));

Then:

where prxmatch ("/&study_drug_list2/i", RXNAME);

Re: PRXMATCH function with a macro variable (whose value contains a forward slash) not working

muhuri — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 02:50:03 GMT

Your revisions to my code have worked. Thanks,

Re: PRXMATCH function with a macro variable (whose value contains a forward slash) not working

muhuri — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 02:52:00 GMT

It has worked. Thanks,