Systematic bias in outcome studies of persons with traumatic brain injury

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Article examines the potential bias in outcome studies created by traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients lost at one-year follow-up. The goal of the study was to identify characteristics that differed significantly for those who were lost to follow-up. Patients were considered lost when phone, mail, clinic visits, and assistance from family members failed to make contact with the individual. Of the 88 participants, 34 (38.6 percent) were lost to follow-up. Subjects intoxicated at the time of injury and those with a history of substance abuse were more likely to be lost. The systematic bias indicated in this study appears to result in a better than actual picture of long-term outcomes among persons with TBI. This document is included in NCDDR's Guide to Traumatic Brain Injury Resources Produced by NIDRR Grantees, number C.44.

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