Large scale questionnaire survey on respiratory health in Sweden: Effects of late- and non-response
Received 8 January 2009; accepted 26 July 2009. published online 20 August 2009.
Summary
Background
Participation rates in epidemiologic studies conducted with postal questionnaires have steadily declined since 1970s. This can lead to an increased risk for selection bias. The aim of this study was to examine cause and effect of non-response in a large cross sectional study assessing respiratory health in western Sweden.
Methods
The study sample was 29,218. The response rate to the initial postal questionnaire was 33%. The response rates to subsequent postal reminders were 15%, 7% and 7% of eligible participants totalling a participation of 62%. Of those who did not respond to the postal survey, a random sample of 400 subjects were identified and contacted for interview by telephone.
Results
Non-responders did not differ significantly in prevalence of airway diseases or symptoms when compared with responders. Male sex, young age and smokers were underestimated among non-responders. No clear trends in prevalence of respiratory symptoms and report of asthma were found with delayed response to the postal survey. The proportion of smokers and men increased with increasing number of reminders. Letters reminding subjects about the study did increase the participation rate but did not alter the risk estimates.
Conclusion
We conclude that with a response rate of 62%, our estimate of disease and symptom prevalence was not biased in this Swedish population. However, smoking was underestimated. No general trend for late-responders was seen and therefore we conclude that extrapolation of results to non-responders is not possible in our study. Causes of non-response were mainly due to circumstantial factors.
aVBG-Group Center for Asthma and Allergy Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
bVBG-Group Center for Asthma and Allergy Research, Department of Environmental & Occupational Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
cThe OLIN Studies, Department of Medicine, Sunderby Central Hospital of Norrbotten, Luleå, Sweden
dDivision of Environmental & Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden
Correspondence to: VBG-Group Center for Asthma and Allergy Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, LFG-lab, Guldhedsgatan 10A, SE – 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden. Tel.: +46 70 201 88 86; fax: +46 31 413 290.
ABSTRACT