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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3236.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 2

Abstract #106886

Attrition in a Clinical Trial Involving Osteoporosis: Effects of Physical Performance and Self-rated Health

Christine Unson, PhD1, Christine McCauley Ohannessian, PhD2, Alison Kleppinger, MS3, and Karen Prestwood, MD3. (1) Communication Department, Western Connecticut State University, 181 White St, Danbury, CT 06819, 2038378871, Unsonc@wcsu.edu, (2) Department of Individual Family Studies, University of Delaware, 110 Alison Hall, Newark, DE 19716, (3) Center on Aging, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-6147

BACKGROUND: Understanding factors associated with attrition in clinical trials may inform strategies to reduce attrition rates. HYPOTHESIS: Low scores on physical performance and self-rated health measures, adjusted for BMI and sociodemographic factors will be associated with increased attrition rates. METHOD: The study analyzed the baseline measures of physical performance (EPESE), SF-36 Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores, BMI, education, age and race/ethnicity, of 167 women, 65 years old or older who enrolled in a estrogen and osteoporosis clinical trial. The measures were included in a multinomial logistic regression model to predict completion, attrition within the first three months, and attrition post-three months. RESULTS: The average age of the women at enrollment was 74.3 (SD 5.5). 59.3% of the women were white, 17.4% African American, 23.3% Hispanic. Of 57 dropouts, 26% withdrew within three months after randomization. The reasons for withdrawal were a) illness (39%), b) loss of interest/concern about ERT (49%), and c) other reasons (12%). The overall model was significant (÷2 = 38.9, df=12, p<.001). Compared to the women who completed the study, the women who withdrew within three months were older (OR=1.2, p<.01), had lower MCS scores (OR=.93, p<.05), and were more likely to be Hispanic than white (OR=.19, p <.05). Compared to the women who completed the study, the women who dropped out four months or later had lower MCS scores (OR=.94, p <.05), higher BMI (OR=1.1, p<.05), and were more likely to be African-American than white (OR=3.9, p<.05).

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Clinical Trials, Quality of Life

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Research Issues among Older Adults

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA