Predicting Lost to Follow-Up Status Using an Adolescent HIV Psychosocial Attrition Risk Assessment Tool: Results From a Mixed Methods Prospective Cohort Study in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Low retention in care for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) has been a key driver of suboptimal viral load suppression rates in Uganda. The objective of this study was to develop a psychosocial risk assessment tool and evaluate its ability to predict the risk of attrition of ALHIV between the ages 15 and 19 years. SETTING: The study was conducted in 20 facilities in Central and Western Uganda from August 2021 through July 2022. METHODS: A mixed methods prospective cohort study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the Adolescent Psychosocial Attrition Risk Assessment tool was developed and revised using feedback from focus group discussions and interviews. In the second phase, the ability of the Adolescent Psychosocial Attrition Risk Assessment tool to predict attrition among ALHIV was evaluated using diagnostic accuracy tests. RESULTS: A total of 597 adolescents between the ages 15 and 19 years were enrolled, of which 6% were lost to follow-up at the end of the study period. A 20-question tool was developed, with 12 questions being responded to affirmatively by >50% of all participants. Using a cut-off score of 6 or more affirmative answers translated to an area under the curve of 0.58 (95% CI: 0.49 to 0.66), sensitivity of 55% (95% CI: 36% to 72%), and specificity of 61% (95% CI: 56% to 65%). CONCLUSION: Although the Adolescent Psychosocial Attrition Risk Assessment tool was not effective at predicting lost to follow-up status among ALHIV, the tool was useful for identifying psychosocial issues experienced by ALHIV and may be appropriate to administer during routine care visits to guide action.

Lost to Follow-Up among Tuberculosis Patients during the Public-Private Mix Era in Rural Area of Indonesia.

Background: Indonesia's national Tuberculosis (TB) strategy is public-private mix (PPM). The PPM aims to treat patients who have lost sight during TB treatment as these patients are TB carriers and at risk of transmitting TB. The purpose of this study was to identify predictive factors for loss to follow-up (LFTU) among TB patients receiving treatment when the PPM was at place in Indonesia. Methods: The design of this study was a retrospective cohort study. The data used in this study was sourced from the Tuberculosis Information System (SITB) of Semarang which was recorded routinely during 2020-2021. Univariate analysis, crosstabulation, and logistic regression were performed on 3434 TB patients meeting the minimum variables. Results: The participation of health facilities in reporting TB during the PPM era in Semarang reached 97.6% consisting of 37 primary healthcare center (100%), 8 public hospitals (100%), 19 private hospitals (90.5%), and a community-based pulmonary health center (100%). The regression analysis reveal that the predictive factors of LTFU-TB during the PPM are the year of diagnosis (AOR=1.541; p-value=<0.001; 95% CI=1.228-1.934), referral status (AOR=1.562, p-value=0.007; 95% CI=1.130-2160), healthcare and social security insurance ownership (AOR=1.638; p-value=<0.001; 95% CI=1.263-2.124), drugs source (AOR=4.667; p-value=0.035; 95% CI=1.117-19.489). Conclusions: The PPM strategy in dealing with LTFU patients should focus on TB patients without Healthcare and Social Security Insurance and who receive TB treatment rather than program drugs.

Who is lost to follow-up in HIV care? Assessment of care retention over time and the impact of COVID-19. Longitudinal analysis of the PISCIS cohort.

INTRODUCTION: People living with HIV who are lost to follow-up have a greater risk of health deterioration, mortality, and community transmission. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to analyse both how rates of loss to follow-up (LTFU) changed between 2006 and 2020 and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected these rates in the PISCIS cohort study of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. METHODS: We analysed socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of LTFU yearly and with adjusted odds ratios to assess the impact of these determinants on LTFU in 2020 (the year of COVID-19). We used latent class analysis to categorize classes of LTFU based on their socio-demographic and clinical characteristics at each year. RESULTS: In total, 16.7% of the cohort were lost to follow-up at any time in the 15 years (n = 19 417). Of people living with HIV who were receiving follow-up, 81.5% were male and 19.5% were female; of those who were lost to follow-up, 79.6% and 20.4% were male and female, respectively (p < 0.001). Although rates of LTFU increased during COVID-19 (1.11% vs. 0.86%, p = 0.024), socio-demographic and clinical factors were similar. Eight classes of people living with HIV who were lost to follow-up were identified: six for men and two for women. Classes of men (n = 3) differed in terms of their country of birth, viral load (VL), and antiretroviral therapy (ART); classes of people who inject drugs (n = 2) differed in terms of VL, AIDS diagnosis, and ART. Changes in rates of LTFU included higher CD4 cell count and undetectable VL. CONCLUSIONS: The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of people living with HIV changed over time. Although the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic increased the rates of LTFU, the characteristics of these people were similar. Epidemiological trends among people who were lost to follow-up can be used to prevent new losses of care and to reduce barriers to achieve Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 95-95-95 targets.

Diagnóstico audiológico de lactentes após falha na triagem auditiva neonatal universal / Hearing assessment after referral in universal newborn hearing screening

RESUMO Objetivo Estudar o processo de diagnóstico audiológico de lactentes que falharam na Triagem Auditiva Neonatal Universal (TANU). Métodos Análise dos prontuários de 51 lactentes que falharam na TANU nas maternidades do munícipio e que foram encaminhados a um centro de referência em saúde auditiva para diagnóstico audiológico, entre janeiro e junho de 2021. Foram identificados os lactentes que finalizaram o diagnóstico, aqueles que não compareceram ao agendamento para exames ou evadiram durante o processo. Tentativas de contato foram realizadas com os responsáveis pelos lactentes que evadiram, para identificar o motivo da evasão. Resultados O comparecimento ao diagnóstico ficou em 75%, com evasões entre o encaminhamento da maternidade para o centro de referência, bem como durante o processo de diagnóstico. Cinquenta por cento dos sujeitos concluíram as avaliações audiológicas até os 3 meses de vida. A tentativa de contato foi bem-sucedida com os responsáveis pelos lactentes que evadiram, sendo os motivos mais frequentes: adoecimento do lactente, distância entre a moradia e o centro de referência, horário de trabalho dos pais. Conclusão Na etapa de diagnóstico, o índice de comparecimento e o tempo de conclusão até o terceiro mês de vida da criança ficaram abaixo dos índices recomendados, diminuindo a efetividade do Programa de Triagem Auditiva Neonatal Universal (PTANU). A busca ativa por contato telefônico e uso de aplicativo de mensagem telefônico foi importante para reduzir a evasão em 76%. Outras ferramentas que aprimorem o processo para um diagnóstico não prolongado, evitando evasões, necessitam ser estudadas.

ABSTRACT Purpose To study the process of hearing assessment in infants who were referred by professionals responsible for Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). Methods Analysis of the medical records of 51 infants referred by maternity hospitals where UNHS was performed and were referred to a Hearing Health Center, between January and June 2021. Infants who completed hearing assessment, who never attended the appointments, or were lost during the diagnostic process were identified. Attempts were made to contact infants' guardians in order to understand the reason for missing the appointments. Results The attendance to the diagnosis was 75%. Fifty percent of the infants completed hearing assessment as recommended, up to 3 months of life. The attempt to contact parents who missed the appointments was successful, and the most frequent reasons are: the infant was ill on the day of scheduled appointment, distance from home to the hearing health center, parents' working hours. Conclusion For the diagnostic stage, the attendance rate and the age for completing hearing assessment were below the recommended. The active search for telephone contact and use of phone messaging application was important to reduce evasion by seventy-six percent. Tools that optimize the diagnostic process with less infants missing still must be studied.

Determinant factors for loss to follow-up in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients: the importance of psycho-social and economic aspects.

BACKGROUND: Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is the barrier for global TB elimination efforts with a lower treatment success rate. Loss to follow-up (LTFU) in DR-TB is a serious problem, causes mortality and morbidity for patients, and leads to wide spreading of DR-TB to their family and the wider community, as well as wasting health resources. Prevention and management of LTFU is crucial to reduce mortality, prevent further spread of DR-TB, and inhibit the development and transmission of more extensively drug-resistant strains of bacteria. A study about the factors associated with loss to follow-up is needed to develop appropriate strategies to prevent DR-TB patients become loss to follow-up. This study was conducted to identify the factors correlated with loss to follow-up in DR-TB patients, using questionnaires from the point of view of patients. METHODS: An observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted. Study subjects were all DR-TB patients who have declared as treatment success and loss to follow-up from DR-TB treatment. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information by interviewing the subjects as respondents. Obtained data were analyzed potential factors correlated with loss to follow-up in DR-TB patients. RESULTS: A total of 280 subjects were included in this study. Sex, working status, income, and body mass index showed a significant difference between treatment success and loss to follow-up DR-TB patients with p-value of 0.013, 0.010, 0.007, and 0.006, respectively. In regression analysis, factors correlated with increased LTFU were negative attitude towards treatment (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.1-1.3), limitation of social support (OR = 1.1; 95% CI = 1.0-1.2), dissatisfaction with health service (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.5-3.0)), and limitation of economic status (OR = 1.1; 95% CI = 1.0-1.2)). CONCLUSIONS: Male patients, jobless, non-regular employee, lower income, and underweight BMI were found in higher proportion in LTFU patients. Negative attitude towards treatment, limitation of social support, dissatisfaction with health service, and limitation of economic status are factors correlated with increased LTFU in DR-TB patients. Non-compliance to treatment is complex, we suggest that the involvement and support from the combination of health ministry, labor and employment ministry, and social ministry may help to resolve the complex problems of LTFU in DR-TB patients.

Community Healthy Workers Fill in the Gaps for Participants Who Became Lost to Follow-up in a Healthy Start Program.

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to solicit information from Community Health Workers (CHWs) in order to further understand reasons for Healthy Start participants becoming lost to follow-up after delivery. Four CHWs from a local Healthy Start Program completed questionnaires for participants in their caseloads who had become lost to follow-up from the program (n = 146) between Sep 2018 and Jan 2020. The questionnaire included open ended items about ease of contact before and after delivery, changes in contact information, compliance with prenatal care visits, other life challenges (such as housing, legal, transportation, and family support), family size, living arrangements, working/student status, and substance use. Participants were categorized by ease of contact throughout participation into Easy (28.8%), Easy then Difficult (11%) and Difficult (60.3%). Responses to questions were reviewed and coded to identify common themes. Groups differed on: having a change in contact information, having challenges with transportation, having lots of help, having other children between 6 and 10 years old, compliance with prenatal care, and race being non-Black. Areas where groups differed may indicate possible reasons for participants becoming lost to follow up after delivery. The descriptive results from this study can help CHWs address these issues with participants during prenatal care, when they are easier to contact, to develop contingency plans for remaining in contact after delivery.

Processo do diagnóstico audiológico de bebês após a falha na triagem auditiva neonatal / Infants Hearing Assessment process after referring newborn hearing screening / Proceso del diagnóstico audiológico de bebés después del fallo en la audición neonatal

Introdução: É imprescindível o diagnóstico audiológico até o terceiro mês de vida para que se possa iniciar uma intervenção precoce, permitindo que a criança desenvolva adequadamente a fala e a linguagem. Porém este processo enfrenta diversas barreiras que dificultam sua conclusão. Objetivo: Analisar o processo do diagnóstico audiológico em bebês que falharam na triagem auditiva neonatal, descrevendo a idade na realização da triagem e do diagnóstico, os motivos das evasões e faltas durante o processo, motivos para demora na finalização do diagnóstico, e os resultados audiológicos daqueles que finalizaram este processo. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo, descritivo, observacional, realizado em um Centro de Referência em Saúde Auditiva. Foram analisados os prontuários de 68 crianças que falharam na TAN, nas maternidades da Prefeitura Municipal de São Paulo, e encaminhadas para o Centro de Referência, no período de janeiro a junho de 2019. Os dados foram analisados com base nos critérios de qualidade estabelecidos por comitês nacionais e internacionais. Resultados: O serviço teve adesão abaixo do esperado no diagnóstico audiológico (76,5%) e o contato com os que evadiram, via telefone, não foi eficiente (75%). O indicador de risco com maior ocorrência foi a permanência na UTI por mais de cinco dias (25%). Das crianças que permaneceram no processo, metade concluiu o diagnóstico, o restante não tinha encerrado (42,2%) ou evadiu do mesmo (7,7%). A maioria das crianças que finalizaram o diagnóstico, apresentavam alguma perda auditiva (65,4%). Conclusão: O critério de qualidade não foi alcançado no comparecimento ao diagnóstico, sendo abaixo dos 90% recomendáveis. Novas estratégias necessitam ser tomadas, diminuindo a evasão no diagnóstico audiológico, dentre elas, outras formas de contato com as famílias e a integração entre atenção básica e os serviços de referência em Saúde Auditiva.

Introduction: Hearing assessment is essential until the third month of life in order to enable early intervention, allowing the child's proper speech and language development. Nevertheless, this process faces several barriers that may delay its conclusion. Purpose: To investigate aspects in the hearing assessment process in infants who refers newborn hearing screening (NHS), describing the age at which screening and diagnosis were performed, the reasons for evasion or loss to follow up, and reasons for missing appointments during the process, reasons for delay in completing the diagnosis, and the audiological results of those who completed this process. Methods: This is a quantitative, descriptive, and observational study that was carried out at a hearing health center in São Paulo. The study analyzed 68 medical records from children who referred NHS, born in São Paulo city maternity hospitals, and then referred to a hearing health center, from January to June 2019. Data were analyzed based on the quality criteria established by national and international committees. Results: There was an adherence lower than expected for hearing assessment (76.5%); contact with parents using mobile phones, after missing the appointments, was not efficient (75%). NICU stay for more than five days was the most common risk indicator (25%). Half of the children analyzed process completed the diagnosis, 42.2% of the children were still in the process, and 7.7% were lost in the process. Most of the children who completed the diagnosis had some type and degree of hearing loss (65.4%). Conclusion: Although NHS is being performed as expected in more than 95% of the newborns, hearing assessment is not being completed in more than 90% of the children who referred NHS. New strategies are needed in order to reduce loss to follow-up in the hearing assessment process.

Introducción: La evaluación después de hacer referencia a la detección auditiva del recién nacido es una parte esencial del proceso y el proceso de diagnóstico debe terminar en el tercer mes de vida, con el fin de iniciar la intervención temprana, lo que permite el mejor desarrollo del habla y el lenguaje posible. Este proceso enfrenta varias barreras que pueden retrasar el deseo de la línea de tiempo. Objetivo: Analizar el proceso del diagnóstico audiológico en los bebés que fallaron en la detección auditiva, describiendo la edad en la que se realizó la selección y el diagnóstico, los motivos de evasión y ausencias durante el proceso, los motivos de la demora en la realización del diagnóstico y los resultados audiológicos correspondientes quien completó este proceso. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, observacional, realizado en un Centro de Referencia de Salud Auditiva. Se analizaron las historias clínicas de 68 niños que fallaron la detección auditiva en las maternidades de la Prefectura Municipal de São Paulo y se enviaron al Centro de Referencia, de enero a junio de 2019. Los datos se analizaron en base a los criterios de calidad establecidos por los comités nacionales e internacionales. Resultados: El servicio tuvo una adherencia por debajo de lo esperado en el diagnóstico audiológico (76,5%) y el contacto con los que escaparon, vía telefónica, no fue eficiente (75%). El indicador de riesgo con mayor ocurrencia fue la estancia en UCI por más de cinco días (25%). De los niños que permanecieron en el proceso, la mitad completó el diagnóstico, el resto no lo había terminado (42,2%) o lo había evadido (7,7%). La mayoría de los niños que completaron el diagnóstico tenían alguna pérdida auditiva (65,4%). Conclusión: No se alcanzó el criterio de calidad al momento de atender el diagnóstico, estando por debajo del 90% recomendado. Es necesario tomar nuevas estrategias, reduciendo la evasión en el diagnóstico audiológico, entre ellas, otras formas de contacto con las familias y la integración entre atención primaria y servicios de referencia en Salud Auditiva.

Which factors influence the frequency of participation in longitudinal cohort studies? - An analysis of demographics, social factors, and medical preconditions in participants of the health effects in high level exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (HELPcB) cohort.

The continuous drop out of participants in longitudinal studies is a trend that may be observed in nearly all fields of medical research. A reduced participation rate might compromise the power of statistical analysis as well as lead to an attrition bias of the study. The aim of this analysis was to identify influencing factors on participation frequency in the monitoring program Health Effects in High Level Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (HELPcB) study, a cohort investigation of occupationally polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) exposed individuals. The HELPcB study was initiated in 2010 and consisted of 7 study visits. At the last cross-section in 2019, less than one third of the included patients still actively participated. As possible influencing factors on study participation frequency, demographic, social, and medical characteristics of the participants were examined. In addition, a logistic regression model to predict study participation behavior was calculated. An overall higher frequency of participation was observed, if participants joined the program together with relatives or friends and had a higher age. For PCB plasma levels, an exceedance of the biological reference value (BAR) and further factors, such as (1) professional qualification, (2) later inclusion, (3) type of participant and (4) occupational-related disease notification, significant differences in the participation frequency were observed in the univariate analysis. Only age and joined study participation remained significant in the multivariate logistic regression. In conclusion, it was possible to identify several social and occupational-related factors that influence the frequency of participation of study attendees.

Optimising Hand Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, most health-care personnel and resources are redirected to prioritize care for seriously-ill COVID patients. This situation may poorly impact our capacity to care for critically injured patients. We need to devise a strategy to provide rational and essential care to hand trauma victims whilst the access to theatres and anaesthetic support is limited. Our center is a level 1 trauma center, where the pandemic preparedness required reorganization of the trauma services. We aim to summarise the clinical profile and management of these patients and highlight, how we modified our practice to optimize their care. Methods: This is a single-centre retrospective observational study of all patients with hand injuries visiting the Department of Plastic Surgery from 22nd March to 31st May 2020. Patient characteristics, management details, and outcomes were analysed. Results: A total of 102 hand injuries were encountered. Five patients were COVID-19 positive. The mean age was 28.9 ± 14.8 years and eighty-two (80.4%) were males. Thirty-one injuries involved fractures/dislocations, of which 23 (74.2%) were managed non-operatively. Seventy-five (73.5%) patients underwent wound wash or procedure under local anaesthetic and were discharged as soon as they were comfortable. Seventeen cases performed under brachial-plexus block, were discharged within 24 hours except four cases of finger replantation/ revascularisation and one flap cover which were discharged after monitoring for four days. At mean follow-up of 54.4 ± 21.8 days, the rates of early complication and loss to follow-up were 6.9% and 12.7% respectively. Conclusions: Essential trauma care needs to continue keeping in mind, rational use of resources while ensuring safety of the patients and health-care professionals. We need to be flexible and dynamic in our approach, by utilising teleconsultation, non-operative management, and regional anaesthesia wherever feasible.

Predicting for Lost to Follow-up in Surgical Management of Patients with Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Lost to follow-up (LTF) represents an understudied barrier to effective management of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). Understanding the factors associated with LTF after surgical treatment of cSDH could uncover pathways for quality improvement efforts and modify discharge planning. We sought to identify the demographic and clinical factors associated with patient LTF. METHODS: A single-institution, retrospective cohort study of patients treated surgically for convexity cSDH from 2009 to 2019 was conducted. The primary outcome was LTF, with neurosurgical readmission as the secondary outcome. Univariate analysis was conducted using the student-t test and χ2 test. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with LTF and neurosurgical readmission. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients were included, 29% of whom were LTF. The mean first postoperative follow-up duration was 60 days. On univariate analysis, uninsured/Medicaid coverage was associated with increased LTF compared with private insurance/Medicare coverage (62.5% vs. 41.4%; P = 0.039). A higher discharge modified Rankin scale score was also associated with LTF (3.7 vs. 3.5; P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, uninsured/Medicaid patients had a significantly greater risk of LTF compared with private insurance/Medicare patients (odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-5.23; P = 0.022). LTF was independently associated with an increased risk of neurosurgical readmission (odds ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-3.24; P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Uninsured and Medicaid patients had a greater likelihood of LTF compared with private insurance and Medicare patients. LTF was further associated with an increased risk of neurosurgical readmission. The results from the present study emphasize the need to address barriers to follow-up to reduce readmission after surgery for cSDH. These findings could inform improved discharge planning, such as predischarge repeat imaging studies and postdischarge contact.

Low renal transplantation rates in children with end-stage kidney disease: A study of barriers in a low-resource setting.

After 2 decades as a low-cost transplant centre in India, our rates of kidney transplantation are low compared to the burden of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). We performed this study to identify possible barriers inhibiting paediatric kidney transplant and to assess the outcomes of paediatric ESKD. A retrospective chart review of ESKD patients (2013 - 2018) at a tertiary paediatric nephrology centre was conducted. Medical/non-medical barriers to transplant were noted. Patient outcomes were classified as "continued treatment," "lost to follow-up (LTFU)" or "died." Of 155 ESKD patients (monthly income 218 USD [146, 365], 94% self-pay), only 30 (19%) were transplanted (28 living donor). Sixty-five (42%) were LTFU, 19 (12%) died, and 71 (46%) continued treatment. LTFU/death was associated with greater travel distance (300 km [60, 400] vs 110 km [20, 250] km, P < .0001) and lower monthly income (145 USD [101, 290] vs 290 USD [159, 681], P < .0001). Among those who continued treatment, 41 proceeded to transplant evaluation of whom 13 had no living donor and remained waitlisted for 27 months (15, 30). The remainder (n = 30) did not proceed to transplant due to unresolved medical issues (n = 10) or a lack of parental interest in pursuing transplant (n = 20). Barriers to transplantation in low-resource setting begin in ESKD. LTFU resulted in withdrawal of care and was associated with low socioeconomic status. Among those who continued treatment, transplant rates were higher but medical challenges and negative attitudes towards transplant and organ donation occurred.

Follow-up Adherence and Barriers to Care for Pediatric Glaucomas at a Tertiary Care Center.

PURPOSE: To determine the percent adherence to follow-up for patients with pediatric glaucomas seen at a tertiary care center and to elucidate risk factors. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Patients with pediatric glaucomas seen at the University of Minnesota over 8.5 years were classified as adherent, nonadherent, or lost to tertiary follow-up if they followed up within 0-30 days, between 31 and 180 days, or later than 180 days of the recommended appointment time or never, respectively. RESULTS: Of 176 patients analyzed, 95 (54%) were adherent (51% male; mean [standard deviation (SD)] age: 56.1 [59.8] months), 5 (3%) were nonadherent (20% male; mean [SD] age: 25.0 [35.8] months), and 76 (43%) were lost to tertiary follow-up (55% male; mean [SD] age: 58.9 [53.1] months). Multiple logistic regression analysis of variables that were significant in isolation revealed that only race (white: odds ratio, 3.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-9.05; P = .007) and distance from the eye clinic (per 50 miles: odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.92; P = .003) significantly impacted adherence. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of adherence to follow-up recommendations for patients with pediatric glaucomas. Percent adherence to follow-up appointments was alarmingly low, and decreased adherence was observed with non-white race and increased distance to the eye clinic. Physicians should consider these risk factors when risk-stratifying patients with pediatric glaucomas for nonadherence to follow-up. Additional studies to improve adherence through interventions that reduce biases and barriers to follow-up are needed.

Assessment of selection bias due to dropouts in the follow-up of the Scania Public Health Cohort.

Aims: To investigate potential differences between participants and dropouts in the 2005 follow-up of the Scania Public Health Cohort Study regarding the prevalence of commonly studied health determinants and whether these factors had differential associations with three health outcomes: all-cause mortality and purchase of prescribed cardiovascular or psychotropic drugs during a 10-year follow-up period. Methods: The Scania Public Health Cohort was initiated in 1999/2000, with randomly invited participants aged 18-80 years from the general population (58% participation). Questionnaire data from 10,462 participants and 2576 dropouts in the 2005 follow-up (80% participation) were linked to public registers on mortality and purchase of prescribed drugs. Results: Age, male gender, being born abroad, low educational level, low self-rated mental and general health and daily smoking were all related to dropping out. The 10-year mortality was higher among dropouts (13.4% versus 11.9%; age-adjusted hazard ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.4-1.8). In 13 out of 18 analyses, similar associations between health determinants and outcomes were found across participants and dropouts. However, being born outside of Sweden was associated with higher risks for all three poor health outcomes among participants, but not so among dropouts. Conclusions: Despite selective participation at follow-up, there was little evidence of selection bias, insofar as estimated associations were generally similar across participants, dropouts and the whole cohort. This finding is important for the assessment of the validity of prospective findings from this cohort and similar ones, where the loss of individuals at consecutive follow-ups of exposure is non-negligible.

Patient and health system factors associated with pretreatment loss to follow up among patients diagnosed with tuberculosis using Xpert® MTB/RIF testing in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: In 2018, Uganda started only 65% of persons with incident tuberculosis on treatment. Pretreatment loss to follow up is an important contributor to suboptimal treatment coverage. We aimed to describe the patient and health facility-level characteristics associated with pretreatment loss to follow up among patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis at public health facilities in Uganda. METHODS: At ten public health facilities, laboratory register data was used to identify patients aged ≥ 15 years who had a positive Xpert®MTB/RIF test. Initiation on TB treatment was ascertained using the clinical register. Factors associated with not being initiated on TB treatment within two weeks of diagnosis were examined using a multilevel logistic regression model accounting for clustering by health facility. RESULTS: From January to June 2018, 510 patients (61.2% male and 31.5% HIV co-infected) were diagnosed with tuberculosis. One hundred (19.6%) were not initiated on TB treatment within 2 weeks of diagnosis. Not having a phone number recorded in the clinic registers (aOR 7.93, 95%CI 3.93-13.05); being HIV-infected (aOR 1.83; 95% CI: 1.09-3.26) and receiving care from a high volume health facility performing more than 12 Xpert tests per day (aOR 4.37, 95%CI 1.69-11.29) and were significantly associated with pretreatment loss to follow up. CONCLUSION: In public health facilities in Uganda, we found a high rate of pretreatment loss to follow up especially among TBHIV co-infected patients diagnosed at high volume health facilities. Interventions to improve the efficiency of Xpert® MTB/RIF testing, including monitoring of the TB care cascade should be developed and implemented.

The impact of user fees on uptake of HIV services and adherence to HIV treatment: Findings from a large HIV program in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Global HIV funding cutbacks have been accompanied by the adoption of user fees to address funding gaps in treatment programs. Our objective was to assess the impact of user fees on HIV care utilization and medication adherence in Nigeria. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients enrolled in care before (October 2012-September 2013) and after (October 2014-September 2015) the introduction of user fees in a Nigerian clinic. We assessed pre- vs. post-user fee patient characteristics and enrollment trends, and determined risk of care interruption, loss to follow-up, and optimal medication adherence. RESULTS: After fees were instituted, there was a 66% decline in patient enrollment and 75% decline in number of ART doses dispensed. There was no difference in the proportion of female clients (64% vs 63%, p = 0.46), average age (36 vs. 37 years, p = 0.15), or median baseline CD4 (220/ul vs. 222/uL, p = 0.24) in pre- and post-fee cohorts. There was an increase in clients employed and/or had tertiary education (24% vs. 32%, p<0.001). Compared to pre-fee patients, the post-fee period had a 48% decreased risk of care interruption (aRR = 0.52, 95%CI:0.39-0.69), 22% decreased LTFU risk (aRR = 0.64, 95%CI:0.96), and 27% decreased odds of optimal medication adherence (aOR = 0.7, 3 95%CI 0.59-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Patients enrolled in care after introduction of user fees in Nigeria were more likely to be educated or employed, and effectively retained in care after starting ART. However, fees were accompanied by a drastic reduction in new patient enrollment, suggesting that many patients may have been marginalized from HIV care.

Factors associated with follow-up difficulty in longitudinal studies involving community-dwelling older adults.

This study aims to clarify the factors associated with the gradual withdrawal from society in older adults. We defined the stages of follow-up difficulty based on four follow-up surveys on non-respondents of longitudinal mail surveys in community-dwelling older adults to examine the main factors associated with the stages of follow-up difficulty. We conducted a follow-up mail survey (FL1) with respondents of a baseline survey, and three more follow-up surveys with the non-respondents of each previous survey: simplified mail (FL2), postcard (FL3), and home visit surveys (FL4). The respondents of each follow-up survey were defined as a stage of follow-up difficulty; their characteristics concerning social participation and interaction at baseline in each stage were analyzed. The number of respondents in the FL1, FL2, FL3, and FL4 stages and non-respondents (NR) were as follows: 2,361; 462; 234; 84; and 101, respectively. Participation in hobby groups in FL2 and FL3, sports groups in FL4, and neighborhood association and social isolation in NR were significantly associated with the stage of follow-up difficulty. Based on these results, we conclude that the following factors are associated with each stage of follow-up difficulty: 1) a decline in instrumental activities of daily living in the FL2 and FL3 stages, 2) dislike for participating in physical activity such as sports in the FL4 stage, and 3) social isolation, not even belonging to a neighborhood association due to low social interaction in the NR group.

Loss to Follow-Up Among Patients With Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in Clinical Practice.

PURPOSE: To determine the proportion of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) who were counted as loss to follow-up (LTFU) patients and to investigate predictive factors. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Information was collected for 4,423 patients with PDR between April 30, 2012, and April 30, 2017. Two definitions of LTFU were used. Complete LTFU referred to the population who never returned to care within the study period. Interval LTFU referred to the population who did not adhere to clinical recommendations and missed scheduled appointments, resulting in intervals longer than 6 months or 1 year between 2 appointments. Age, average gross income, and insurance were assessed as potential predictors of interval LTFU. RESULTS: Among 4,423 patients with PDR, 2,407 (54.4%) and 2,320 (52.4%) were complete LTFU at 6 months and 1 year, respectively; 782 (17.7%) and 468 (10.6%) patients were interval LTFU for 6 months and 1 year, respectively. Age and average gross income were not found to be significant predictors of interval LTFU. Compared to self-pay, government and private insurance patients were more likely to be interval LTFU at 6 months (government, P = .035; private, P = .005). Private insurance patients were also more likely to be interval LTFU at 1 year (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: The identified complete LTFU rates were notably high and warrant further study. More than 1 of 6 patients were interval LTFU for at least 6 months, and 1 of 10 patients was interval LTFU for more than 1 year. Insurance status was significant in determining interval LTFU status. Consistent with other analyses, these results indicate that compliance with clinical appointments among patients with PDR is a substantial clinical challenge.

Prospective assessment of loss to follow-up: incidence and associated factors in a cohort of HIV-positive adults in rural Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION: Lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves health outcomes for HIV-positive individuals, but is jeopardized by irregular clinic attendance and hence poor adherence. Loss to follow-up (LTFU) is typically defined retrospectively but this may lead to biased inferences. We assessed incidence of and factors associated with LTFU, prospectively and accounting for recurrent LTFU episodes, in the Kilombero and Ulanga Antiretroviral Cohort (KIULARCO) of HIV-positive persons in rural Tanzania. METHODS: We included adults (≥15 years) enrolled in 2005 to 2016, regardless of ART status, with follow-up through April 2017. LTFU was defined as >60 days late for a scheduled appointment. Participants could experience multiple LTFU episodes. We performed analyses based on the first (prospective) and last (retrospective) events observed during follow-up, and accounting for recurrent LTFU episodes. Time to LTFU was estimated using cumulative incidence functions. We assessed factors associated with LTFU using cause-specific proportional hazards, marginal means/rates, and Prentice, Williams and Peterson models. RESULTS: Among 8087 participants (65% female, 60% aged ≥35 years, 42% WHO stage 3/4, and 47% CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 ), there were 8140 LTFU episodes, after which there were 2483 (31%) returns to care. One-year LTFU probabilities were 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.40, 0.42) and 0.21 (0.20, 0.22) considering the first and last events respectively. Factors associated with LTFU were broadly consistent across different models: being male, younger age, never married, living far from the clinic, not having an HIV-positive partner, lower BMI, advanced WHO stage, not having tuberculosis, and shorter time since ART initiation. Associations between LTFU and pregnancy, CD4 count, and enrolment year depended on the analysis approach. CONCLUSIONS: LTFU episodes were common and prompt tracing efforts are urgently needed. We identified socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with LTFU that can be used to target tracing efforts and to help inform the design of appropriate interventions. Incidence of and risk factors for LTFU differed based on the LTFU definition applied, highlighting the importance of appropriately accounting for recurrent LTFU episodes. We recommend using a prospective definition of LTFU combined with recurrent event analyses in cohorts where repeated interruptions in care are common.

Shortened Tuberculosis Treatment for People with HIV in South Africa. A Model-based Evaluation and Cost-effectiveness Analysis.

Rationale: Recent tuberculosis treatment trials failed to show that some 4-month (4m) regimens were noninferior to conventional 6-month (6m) regimens for a composite clinical outcome. Novel shortened regimens may still have important clinical and economic benefits in populations with high loss to follow-up (LTFU) and in subgroups such as people with human immunodeficiency virus.Objectives: To identify scenarios in which a novel 4m regimen would be preferred to a conventional 6m regimen for treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis in people with human immunodeficiency virus in South Africa, in terms of short-term and long-term clinical and economic outcomes.Methods: We used the Cost-Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications-International microsimulation model to project outcomes modeled on participants in the OFLOTUB trial. For calibration purposes, we did a base case analysis by applying trial-informed parameters for the 4m/6m regimens, including monthly LTFU during treatment (0.68%/0.83%), average monthly tuberculosis recurrence (0.65%/0.31%), and monthly drug costs (U.S. dollars [USD]25.90/3.70). We then evaluated different scenarios and 4m regimen characteristics, varying key parameters, including LTFU (informed by observational cohort data), recurrence, and cost. We projected outcomes, including 2-year mortality and life expectancy. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis, evaluating the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of a 4m versus 6m regimen.Results: In the base case model analysis, risk of the composite unfavorable outcome in the 4m/6m groups was 19.8%/15.9%, similar to the trial; projected life expectancies were 22.1/22.3 years. In analyses of alternative scenarios and 4m regimen characteristics, a 4m regimen yielded lower risk of the composite unfavorable outcome than the conventional 6m regimen if LTFU increased to greater than 3.5%/mo or if average recurrence after a 4m regimen decreased to less than 0.45%/mo, and it yielded higher life expectancy if LTFU was greater than 3.5%/mo or if recurrence was less than 0.5%/mo. A 4m regimen was not cost-effective in the base case but became cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio