TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2003//
TI  - Systematic bias in traumatic brain injury outcome studies because of loss to follow-up
JO  - Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
A1  - Corrigan, John D.
A1  - Harrison-Felix, Cynthia L.
A1  - Bogner, Jennifer A.
A1  - Dijkers, Marcel
A1  - Terrill, Melissa Sendroy
A1  - Whiteneck, Gale Gibson
SP  - 153
EP  - 160
VL  - 84
IS  - 2
N2  - OBJECTIVE: To identify potential sources of selection bias created by subjects lost to follow-up in studies of traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Demographic, premorbid, injury-related, and hospital course characteristics were compared for subjects lost and found for 1- and 2-year postinjury follow-ups by using bivariate tests and logistic regression analysis. SETTING: Three prospective, longitudinal data sets-a single center, a multicenter, and a statewide incidence surveillance system and follow-up registry. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents and adults hospitalized with a diagnosis of TBI. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were considered lost when no information was collected from the person with TBI or only limited information could be obtained from a proxy, for any reason, including death, refusal, inability to locate, and inability to interview. RESULTS: At year 1 follow-up, 58.0% to 58.6% of subjects were found; 39.7% to 42.0% of subjects were found by year 2. Variables most frequently associated with loss to follow-up were cause of injury, blood alcohol level, motor function, hospital payer source, and race and ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: TBI follow-up studies may experience selective attrition of subjects who (1) are socioeconomically disadvantaged, (2) have a history of substance abuse, and (3) have violent injury etiologies. These phenomena are mitigated for those with more severe motor deficits. Loss to follow-up may be a problem inherent to this population; however, the high rate and its selective nature are problematic for outcome studies.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0003-9993
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/apmr.2003.50093
ID  - ref1
ER  -