sdtmig-reference

name	sdtmig-reference
description	Look up SDTMIG v3.4 domain/variable information (Core status, Role, Type, allowed values) from the authoritative CSV reference file. Use this whenever you need to verify whether a variable is Required, Expected, or Permissible in a domain — do NOT assume or guess. Trigger when authoring or reviewing rules and you need to confirm variable constraints.

SDTMIG v3.4 Reference Lookup

This skill looks up authoritative SDTMIG v3.4 variable information using a Python script that reads from SDTMIG v3.4 Classes and Columns.csv alongside the script in this skill folder. Never guess or assume a variable's Core status — always run the script.

Core status meanings

Core	Meaning
Req	Required — must be present and populated in every dataset
Exp	Expected — should be present; omission requires justification
Perm	Permissible — may or may not be present in the dataset

Rule authoring implication: A Perm variable may be absent from the dataset entirely. Any rule that checks a Perm variable for emptiness MUST use - any: with not_exists + empty.

The lookup script

lookup.py lives in this skill folder, alongside SKILL.md and the CSV. Invoke it with whatever absolute path your runtime mounts the skill at. The script locates the CSV via its own __file__, so it works regardless of the current working directory.

# List all available domains
python lookup.py --domains

# All variables in a domain (with Core status)
python lookup.py --domain AG

# Specific variable in a domain
python lookup.py --domain AG --var AGSTAT

# All Permissible variables in a domain
python lookup.py --domain AG --core Perm

# All Required variables in a domain
python lookup.py --domain DM --core Req

# Find a variable (or suffix) across ALL domains
python lookup.py --var STAT
python lookup.py --var DTHFL

The --var flag does suffix matching: --var STAT matches AGSTAT, CMSTAT, MHSTAT, etc.

When to use this during rule authoring (Pre-flight checklist item D)

For every variable that the rule's Check section tests for empty or non_empty:

1. Run: python lookup.py --domain <DOMAIN> --var <VAR> (substitute the absolute path your runtime mounts the skill at — see above)
2. Check the Core field in the output.
3. If Core=Perm in any applicable domain:
   • Replace operator: empty with - any: [not_exists, empty] block in the YAML
   • Create a separate negative test case for the absent-variable scenario (use [ABSENT])

For rules that apply to multiple domains (e.g., the variable --STAT applies to AG, CM, EC, etc.), run the cross-domain check: python lookup.py --var STAT If any domain shows Perm, the rule needs the any block.

Reading the output

  AGSTAT               Core=Perm   Role=Record Qualifier  Type=Char  Label=Completion Status
                         Note: Used to indicate that a question about a prespecified agent was
                               not answered. Should be null or have a value of "NOT DONE".

Key fields:

• Core → Required / Expected / Permissible
• Role → Identifier, Timing, Record Qualifier, Variable Qualifier, Grouping Qualifier, etc.
• Val List → controlled allowed values (if any)
• Note → CDISC definition and usage guidance (useful for Description/Message wording)