title: Factors Associated with Low Socioeconomic Status Predict Poor Postoperative Follow-up after Meningioma Resection.
abstract: Objectives To quantify the rates of loss of follow-up after meningioma resection and to identify any key demographical associations. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2001-2013. Participants A total of 281 patients surgically treated for an intracranial meningioma at a single institution between 2001 and 2013. Main Outcome Measures Patient clinical follow-up within the first postoperative year. Results A history of tobacco use (p < 0.0001), ongoing alcohol abuse at time of presentation (p = 0.0014), Medicaid coverage (p < 0.0001), and lack of a college degree (p < 0.0001) were all found to be predictors of loss of follow-up at a statistically significant level. Conclusions Several factors associated with low socioeconomic status are predictors of poor clinical follow-up after meningioma resection. The health risk of poor follow-up in this patient population is significant, and increased measures are needed to ensure regular appointment attendance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nayeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
authors.forename: Philip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Brinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
authors.forename: Kyle D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
authors.forename: Reid C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
authors.forename: Lola B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Chambless
keywords: follow-up; meningioma; socioeconomic status; tobacco