Loss of follow-up is a common problem in orthopaedic trauma. Our study suggests different risk factors for noncompliance, including male gender, smoker, lack of commercial health insurance, and illicit drug abuse. Health care providers may consider establishing protocols for facilitating follow-up appointments to patients who are at risk for noncompliance.

Loss to follow-up rates in published orthopaedic randomized controlled trials is overall relatively low. A substantial portion of publications does not adequately report follow-up data. Studies performed in the United States and studies with longer follow-up periods seem to be at higher risk for loss to follow-up.

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