Terence W O’Neill|D. Marsden|Christine Matthis|Heiner Raspe|A J Silman
Survey response rates: national and regional differences in a European multicentre study of vertebral osteoporosis.
MRC Epidemiology Unit|University of Manchester|MRC Epidemiology Unit|University of Manchester|MRC Epidemiology Unit|University of Manchester|MRC Epidemiology Unit|University of Manchester|MRC Epidemiology Unit|University of Manchester
analysis aimed compare response rates invited attend screening multicentre multinational study within europethis population surveythirty four centres 16 european countriesmen women aged 50 years recruited population based sampling frames participate prevalence survey osteoporosis subjects invited post attend radiological screening interview nonresponders followed repeat mailingthere substantial variation centres response rates mean 49 range 583 adjusting known died moved house affect overall ranking response rates mailing also varied centres first mailing 45 range 583 second mailing mean 10 range 023 response rates varied relation age sex higher women men rates fell gradually age women rose men age 65 years response rates varied regionally highest countries northern europe lowest southern european countries wide variation within regions within countriesmulticentre multinational studies within europe probably become increasingly popular study despite standardised approach range response rates centres within countries substantial attempts cross national standardisation survey design limited effect yielding uniformity response