Challenges of Loss to Follow-up in Tuberculosis Research

Thomas N Nissen, Michala V Rose, Godfather Kimaro, Ib C Bygbjerg, Sayoki G Mfinanga and Pernille Ravn

PLOS ONE, 2012, vol. 7, issue 7, 1-8

Abstract: Background: In studies evaluating methods for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB), follow-up to verify the presence or absence of active TB is crucial and high dropout rates may significantly affect the validity of the results. In a study assessing the diagnostic performance of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test in TB suspect children in Tanzania, factors influencing patient adherence to attend follow-up examinations and reasons for not attending were examined. Methods: In 160 children who attended and 102 children who did not attend scheduled 2-month follow-up baseline health characteristics, demographic data and risk factors for not attending follow-up were determined. Qualitative interviews were used to understand patient and caretakers reasons for not returning for scheduled follow-up. Results: Being treated for active TB in the DOTS program (OR: 4.14; 95% CI:1.99–8.62;p-value 100;P-value

Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0040183

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040183

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