Predictors of appointment adherence following operative treatment of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures: which patients are not following up?

This study aims to identify characteristics associated with poor appointment adherence after surgical stabilization of supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHFX) in children. A retrospective review of 560 consecutive, surgically managed patients with SCHFX from 2010 to 2015 was performed. One missed follow-up appointment was classified as ‘low adherence’, whereas missing two or more appointments was classified as ‘very low adherence’. Demographics, insurance status, estimated family income and distance from clinic were analyzed to identify differences in variables between adherent and low-adherent groups. Of 560, 121 (21.8%) missed one follow-up visit and 39/560 (7.1%) missed more than two visits. Age, gender, distance traveled, insurance status and primary language were nonpredictive. Estimated income 200% increase in low adherence vs patients with estimated income>$50 000 (9.3 vs 3.8%; P = 0.012). African American patients had significantly lower adherence vs patients of other races (47.5 vs 19.6%; P
Source: Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics B - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Upper Limb Source Type: research