Subgroups of refusers in a disability prevention trial in older adults:: Baseline and follow-up analysis

Objectives. This study explored differences between refusers and participants in a longitudinal study with extensive baseline and follow-up information. Methods. Results of a trial comparing 791 participants and 401 community-residing older adults who refused to participate in a study concerning preventive home visits were examined. Information was collected from interviews, insurance records, and government files. Results. Despite similarities in terms of age, sex, and self-perceived health at baseline, 3-year follow-up data indicated that refusers had a 1.58-fold higher risk of entering a nursing home than participants. There were additional differences between refusers and participants when refusers were categorized in 4 subgroups based on self-reported reason for refusal (too ill, too healthy, no interest, and other reasons). Conclusions. Future studies should include follow-up data to allow comparisons between refusers and participants and should address the presence of multiple subgroups of refusers.