1. Predicting completion of follow-up in prospective orthopaedic trauma research
- Author
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Graham K.J. Sleat, MA, MB, BChir, FRCS (Tr & Orth), Kelly A. Lefaivre, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Henry M. Broekhuyse, MD, FRCSC, and Peter J. O’Brien, MD, FRCSC
- Subjects
Orthopedic surgery ,RD701-811 - Abstract
Abstract. Objective:. Orthopaedic trauma studies that collect long-term outcomes are expensive and maintaining high rates of follow-up can be challenging. Knowing what factors influence completion of follow-up could allow interventions to improve this. We aimed to assess which factors influence completion of follow-up in the 12 months following surgery in prospective orthopaedic trauma research. Design:. Prospective Cohort Study. Setting:. Level 1 Trauma Center, Vancouver, Canada. Participants:. Eight hundred seventy patients recruited to 4 prospective studies investigating the outcomes of operatively treated lower extremity fractures. Main outcome measurements:. Completion of follow-up defined as completion of all outcome measures at all time points up to 12 months following injury. Results:. Univariate analysis and subsequent analysis by building a reductive multivariate regression model allowed for estimation of the influence of factors in completion of follow-up. Eight hundred seventy patients with complete data had previously been recruited and were included in the analysis. Seven hundred seven patients (81.2%) completed follow-up to 12 months. Factors associated with completion of follow up included higher physical component score of SF-36 at baseline, not being on social assistance at the time of injury, being married and having a higher level of educational attainment. Conclusions:. Our study has demonstrated several important factors identifiable at baseline which are associated with a failure to complete follow-up. Although these factors are not modifiable themselves, we advocate that researchers designing studies should plan for additional follow-up resources and interventions for at risk patients. Level of Evidence:. Level IV
- Published
- 2019
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