Who is lost to followup?: a study of patients with distal radius fractures.
Distal radius fractures are the most common upper extremity fracture, representing one-sixth of all fractures treated in emergency departments nationwide. Beyond the initial reduction and immobilization of these fractures, providing proper followup to ensure maintenance of the reduction and identify complications is necessary for optimal recovery of forearm and wrist functions. We sought to identify the clinical and demographic factors that characterize patients with distal radius fractures who do not return for followup and to assess the underlying causes for their poor followup rates. Compared with patients who were compliant with followup, those lost to followup had lower Physical and Mental Health scores on the SF-36 forms, more often were treated nonoperatively, and more likely had not surpassed secondary education. However, we found no difference between these two groups based on age, gender, mechanism of injury, marital status, or hand dominance. Early identification of patients who potentially are noncompliant can result in additional measures being taken to ensure the patient's return to the treating hospital and physicians. This in turn will prevent complications attributable to lack of followup and allow more accurate assessment of results, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Tejwani
Nirmal C
NC
Department of Orthopaedics, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, 550 First Avenue, NBV21W37, New York, NY 10016, USA. Nirmal.tejwani@nyumc.org
Takemoto
Richelle C
RC
Nayak
Gopi
G
Pahk
Brian
B
Egol
Kenneth A
KA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult