Tracing studies and analysis of the effect of loss to follow-up on mortality estimation from patient registry data

Before patient registries are used for studies of the long-term mortality that is associated with chronic medical conditions, the potential bias resulting from patients who become lost to follow-up must be investigated. A study design, used for a systemic lupus erythematosus patient registry, is described. The design involves tracing patients Who are defined as 'lost to follow-up' according to specific criteria. This provides supplementary information on the mortality experience of patients who are lost to (regular) follow-up. Some methods of analysis are described, based on comparing the mortality experience of patients when under regular follow-up with the experience of patients after they are deemed to be lost to follow-up. The effect of loss to follow-up, death reporting and visits to the clinic on estimation procedures is illustrated and recommendations are made for patient registries which are to be used in mortality studies.