Retention and attrition among African Americans in the STAR*D study: what causes research volunteers to stay or stray?

ABSTRACT:

Background

High attrition rates among African-Americans (AA) volunteers are a persistent problem that makes clinical trials less representative and complicates estimation of treatment outcomes. Many studies contrast AA with other ethnic/racial groups, but few compare the AA volunteers who remain in treatment with those who leave. Here, in addition to comparing patterns of attrition between African Americans and Whites, we identify predictors of overall and early attrition among African Americans.

Method

Sample comprised non-Hispanic African-American (n = 673) and White (n = 2,549) participants in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study. Chi-square tests were used to examine racial group differences in reasons for exit. Multivariate logistic

SUBMITTER: Murphy EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3818393 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature