Patients lost to follow-up after metacarpal fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To determine factors associated with non-attendance at scheduled follow-up visits for treatment of metacarpal fractures, to improve subject retention in prospective investigations.


METHODS
This study included adult patients with metacarpal fractures seen in an outpatient hand clinic between 2004 and 2009. We assessed a number of variables (demographic, social, and injury-specific) that might be associated with failure to return for follow-up. The statistical analysis included both bivariate and multivariable models.


RESULTS
In a cohort of 335 patients (228 men and 107 women) with a mean age of 40 years (range, 18-88 y), independent factors associated with non-attendance were unmarried status (single or divorced), having no insurance, having an unemployed or disabled status, having an unknown work status, and having a small finger metacarpal neck fracture.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who do not attend a scheduled 1-month follow-up after a single isolated metacarpal fracture are sociologically distinct from those who do attend.


METHODS
Prognostic IV.
Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Paul W L
PW
ten Berg
David
D
Ring
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D008297:Male; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult