Loss to 5-year follow-up in the population-based Telemark Study: risk factors and potential for bias.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study aimed to characterise participants lost to follow-up and identify possible factors associated with non-participation in a prospective population-based study of respiratory health in Norway. We also aimed to analyse the impact of potentially biased risk estimates associated with a high proportion of non-responders.

Design

Prospective 5-year follow-up study.

Setting

Randomly selected inhabitants from the general population of Telemark County in south-eastern Norway were invited to fill in a postal questionnaire in 2013. Responders in 2013 were followed-up in 2018.

Participants

16 099 participants aged 16-50 years completed the baseline study. 7958 responded at the 5-year follow-up, while 7723 did not.

Main outcome measures

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SUBMITTER: Zivadinovic N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10069543 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature