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Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

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01-10-2013 | Clinical Research

Factors Associated With Survey Response in Hand Surgery Research

Authors: Arjan G. J. Bot, MD, Jade A. Anderson, BS, Valentin Neuhaus, MD, David Ring, MD, PhD

Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® | Issue 10/2013

Abstract

Background

A low response rate is believed to decrease the validity of survey studies. Factors associated with nonresponse to surveys are poorly characterized in orthopaedic research.

Questions/purposes

This study addressed whether (1) psychologic factors; (2) demographics; (3) illness-related factors; and (4) pain are predictors of a lower likelihood of a patient returning a mailed survey.

Methods

One hundred four adult, new or return patients completed questionnaires including the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression scale, Short Health Anxiety Index, demographics, and a pain scale (0–10) during a routine visit to a hand and upper extremity surgeon. Of these patients, 38% had undergone surgery and the remainder was seen for various other conditions. Six months after their visit, patients were mailed the DASH questionnaire and a scale to rate their satisfaction with the visit (0–10). Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to determine risk factors for being a nonresponder to the followup of this study. The cohort consisted of 57 women and 47 men with a mean age of 51 years with various diagnoses. Thirty-five patients (34%) returned the questionnaire. Responders were satisfied with their visit (mean satisfaction, 8.7) and had a DASH score of 9.6.

Results

Compared with patients who returned the questionnaires, nonresponders had higher pain catastrophizing scores, were younger, more frequently male, and had more pain at enrollment. In logistic regression, male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.6), pain (OR, 1.3), and younger age (OR, 1.03) were associated with not returning the questionnaire.

Conclusions

Survey studies should be interpreted in light of the fact that patients who do not return questionnaires in a hand surgery practice differ from patients who do return them. Hand surgery studies that rely on questionnaire evaluation remote from study enrollment should include tactics to improve the response of younger, male patients with more pain.

Level of Evidence

Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Title: Factors Associated With Survey Response in Hand Surgery Research
Authors: Arjan G. J. Bot, MD
Jade A. Anderson, BS
Valentin Neuhaus, MD
David Ring, MD, PhD
Publication date: 01-10-2013
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® / Issue 10/2013
Print ISSN: 0009-921X
Electronic ISSN: 1528-1132
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-013-3126-0

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Springer Medicine

Factors Associated With Survey Response in Hand Surgery Research

Abstract

Background

Questions/purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of Evidence

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Questions/purposes

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Level of Evidence

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