title: Non-respondents in a post-myocardial infarction trial: characteristics and reasons for refusal.
abstract: We surveyed the 270 survivors of acute myocardial infarction who refused to participate in the Warfarin Re-Infarction Study (WARIS). Information on medical variables were derived from registration forms completed by hospital staff upon discharge, whereas data on a variety of health conditions and reasons for refusal were gathered by mailed questionnaires, 178 (66%) of which were returned. Some disparities were found when comparing non-respondents and participants, the former showing more potential bad risk factors. The diversities between participants and non-respondents are of yet unknown prognostic importance. However, the presence of such differences imply that information on characteristics of non-respondents in clinical trials is desirable in terms of generalizability of the trial results. Reasons stated for non-participation reflect poor motivation, low mobility and saturation with focusing on disease. A slight co-variation between social status and reasons for refusal was noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Red Cross Clinic, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arnesen
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011379:Prognosis; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors