Loss to follow-up in a randomized controlled trial study for pediatric weight management (EPOC)

BMC Pediatrics

Research Article

Petra Warschburger¹  Katja Kröller² 

[1] Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Counseling Psychology, Potsdam University, Karl- Liebknecht- Str. 24/25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany;Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Counseling Psychology, Potsdam University, Karl- Liebknecht- Str. 24/25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany;Department of Health Psychology, H:G Hochschule für Gesundheit & Sport, Technik & Kunst, Vulkanstraße 1, 10367, Berlin, Germany;

关键词: Attrition;    Obesity;    Child;    Predictors;    Weight management trial;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-016-0727-2

 received in 2016-04-02, accepted in 2016-11-08,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAttrition is a serious problem in intervention studies. The current study analyzed the attrition rate during follow-up in a randomized controlled pediatric weight management program (EPOC study) within a tertiary care setting.MethodsFive hundred twenty-three parents and their 7–13-year-old children with obesity participated in the randomized controlled intervention trial. Follow-up data were assessed 6 and 12 months after the end of treatment. Attrition was defined as providing no objective weight data. Demographic and psychological baseline characteristics were used to predict attrition at 6- and 12-month follow-up using multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsObjective weight data were available for 49.6 (67.0) % of the children 6 (12) months after the end of treatment. Completers and non-completers at the 6- and 12-month follow-up differed in the amount of weight loss during their inpatient stay, their initial BMI-SDS, educational level of the parents, and child’s quality of life and well-being. Additionally, completers supported their child more than non-completers, and at the 12-month follow-up, families with a more structured eating environment were less likely to drop out. On a multivariate level, only educational background and structure of the eating environment remained significant.ConclusionsThe minor differences between the completers and the non-completers suggest that our retention strategies were successful. Further research should focus on prevention of attrition in families with a lower educational background.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN24655766. Registered 06 September 2008, updated 16 May 2012.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016