Factors Associated With Loss to Follow Up After Temporal Bone Fracture

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Trauma Surgery
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Temporal bone trauma requires careful evaluation due to potential otologic complications.
• Limited data exists on patient follow-up rates after temporal bone fractures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the proportion of patients lost to follow-up after temporal bone fractures.
• To identify factors associated with loss to follow-up in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of adult patients with temporal bone fractures at a Level I trauma center (2019-2024).
• Primary outcome: prevalence of loss to follow-up.
• Secondary outcomes: radiographic findings, otologic complications, demographics; comparison of followed vs. lost patients.

Main Results:

• 43.5% of 69 patients were lost to follow-up.
• White patients had significantly lower odds of being lost to follow-up (OR=0.2506).
• Patients intubated on presentation, with abnormal otoscopic exams, or with otologic complications were less likely to be lost to follow-up.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of temporal bone fracture patients are lost to follow-up.
• Minority race/ethnicity is associated with higher odds of loss to follow-up.
• Factors like initial presentation and complications influence follow-up adherence.