Predictors of survey non-response two years after hip arthroscopy: Results from an institutional prospective registry

Survey-based studies are inherently subject to non-response bias. A comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to non-response is important for minimizing attrition bias and ensuring generalizability of results. The purpose of this study was to determine the preoperative factors associated with survey non-response 2 years after hip arthroscopy.

Patients undergoing hip arthroscopy at a single center between October 2015 and March 2020 were approached for enrollment in a prospective registry. Patients were emailed an electronic survey at baseline and at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. The primary outcome was response to the 2-year postoperative survey. Patients who failed to complete any part of the 2-year postoperative survey after a series of standardized email, text message, and phone call reminders were considered non-responders. Baseline sociodemographics and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were compared between the groups using Pearson Chi-Squared or Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of non-response.

Ninty-nine patients were enrolled and completed the baseline survey. There were 25 non-responders (25 %) at 2 years. Non-responders demonstrated a higher proportion of patients who were male, identified as non-white, and did not respond to the 1-year postoperative survey. There were no differences in baseline PROs between responders and non-responders. When controlling for age and sex, patients who did not identify as white (OR = 4.3, 95 % CI [1.3, 14.4]) and patients who did not respond to the 1-year postoperative survey (OR = 4.5, 95 % CI [1.5, 13.8]) were more likely to be non-responders at 2 years.

Not responding to 1 year postoperative survey and non-white race are independent predictors of non-response at 2 years after hip arthroscopy. Baseline PROs do not differ between responders and non-responders.