Loss to follow-up in an international, multicentre observational study

摘要: Objective The aim of this work was to assess loss follow-up (LTFU) in EuroSIDA, an international multicentre observational cohort study. Methods LTFU defined as no visit, CD4 cell count measurement or viral load after 1 January 2006. Poisson regression used describe factors related LTFU. Results The incidence LTFU 12 304 patients 3.72 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.58–3.86; 2712 LTFU] and varied among countries from 0.67 13.35. After adjustment, older patients, those with higher counts, who had started combination antiretroviral therapy all lower incidences LTFU, while injecting drug users a LTFU. Compared Southern Europe Argentina, Eastern over twofold increased adjustment (incidence rate ratio 2.16; 95% CI 1.84–2.53; P year measured during the year; 743 (27.1%) subsequently returned follow-up. Conclusions Some thought be may have died, efforts should made ascertain vital status wherever possible. A significant proportion return follow-up.