The association between medication usage and dropout status among participants of an exercise study for people with osteoarthritis

Background and Purpose: Little is known about predictors of dropout status in exercise studies for people with osteoarthritis. Losses to follow-up can pose serious threats to study validity. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of arthritis medication usage the month prior to enrollment to predict dropout status among participants in an exercise study for people with osteoarthritis. Subjects and Methods: men and women who participated in an exercise study for people with osteoarthritis (N=143) were followed. Participants who completed 24+ months of the exercise program were considered retained, whereas individuals who withdrew prior to 24 months were considered dropouts.

Discussion and Conclusion: the results showed that self-reported arthritis medication usage the month prior to study enrollment was associated with subsequent dropout status among this group of exercisers with osteoarthritis. Further identification of baseline characteristics predictive of participant dropout status may benefit future exercise studies. A priori knowledge of ‘at-risk’ exercise study participants will afford the opportunity for the timely allocation of appropriate resources aimed at reducing losses to follow-up.