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Attrition in randomised controlled trials

Attrition, commonly referred to as "loss to follow-up" among study groups in randomised trials can compromise study findings by reducing the power of a study to detect a true difference between the control and the intervention group.

Many untested strategies are used by researchers to try to reduce attrition from randomised trials. These include strategies designed to generate optimal data return or increase compliance to follow-up procedures. We are working with the MRC General Practice Research Framework (GPRF) on two studies to both quantitatively and qualitatively review strategies to reduce attrition from trials.

Click on right Systematic review of strategies to reduce attrition

Click on right A thematic analysis of retention in primary care randomised trials