[Evaluation of patients who do not visit neurology units]

Our aim was to study the relation between non-attendance at neurology units and the delay that exists, as well as the demographic factors that may come to bear on non-attendance.

Data on neurology outpatients over the period between November and December 2002 were collected prospectively. Both patients who were referred for evaluation and those on their first programmed visit were included in the study.

The total number of subjects was 1,035, with an average age of 55.31 +/- 19.84 (14-96). Of these, 605 were females and 430 were males, with no significant differences in the age of the two groups. 40% of the cases came from rural areas. 237 (22.9%) did not attend the visit. We found a statistically significant relation between age and non-attendance (t=2.67; p=0.008, Student's t). There was also a relation between not going to the visit and the delay that existed (t=5.84; p=0.000, Student's t). Patients who were referred from the Casualty department missed their visit more often those who were sent by their GP (Pi2=2.4; p=0.07, chi2). The date on which they received the appointment was also related to non-attendance (t=2.55; p=0.011, Student's t).

Non-attendance was associated, above all, with the delay, with youth, being sent from casualty and with the length of time since they received notice of the visit.