Nonresponse Pattern and Bias in a Community-based Cross-sectional Study of Cognitive Functioning among the Elderly

摘要: The demographic, health, and mental functioning characteristics of nonresponders to a community-based cross-sectional study cognitive among the elderly in Amsterdam, Netherlands (Amsterdam Study Elderly (AMSTEL), October 1990 May 1991), were examined compared with responders. randomly selected age-stratified (65-74, 75-84 years) sample was drawn from listed subsample (n = 8) general practitioners whose lists served as sampling frame for main study. approached interviewed responding using same standardized questions that used Nonresponders 115) responders 999) medical practices by means chi-square odds ratios. Compared responders, these more often reported history psychiatric illness, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, likely be unmarried, have lower education, do poorly on test (odds ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.0-2.6). Most significant physical health differences response status seen persons aged or 75 years. poor performance associated age stroke relatively biased than those other risk factors. These results suggest young-old old-old studies function may differ, there selective nonresponse could bias, different degree, estimates functioning. Studies should investigate possibilities their own setting.