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Lost to Follow-up

Subjects whose outcome data are missing because they did not complete planned visits.

Reviewed by Christian Espinosa, Founder, Blue Goat CyberLast reviewed May 5, 2026

Definition

Loss to follow-up reduces power, biases estimates if non-random, and is a leading reason for clinical-trial credibility concerns. Sponsors should pre-specify thresholds, sensitivity analyses, and retention strategies.

What this means in practice

Long-term implant studies and digital therapeutic trials are particularly prone to LTFU; remote follow-up models can mitigate but introduce data-quality questions.

Primary references

3 sources

Link health: 3 verified· last checked 2026-05-09

ICH·2ISO·1

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On this term

Category: Clinical & Trials
Sources: 3
Updated: 5/5/2026

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Learn in 60 seconds

Subjects whose outcome data are missing because they did not complete planned visits.

·Long-term implant studies and digital therapeutic trials are particularly prone to LTFU; remote follow-up models can mitigate but introduce data-quality questions.
·Sponsors should pre-specify thresholds, sensitivity analyses, and retention strategies.

Remember this

Subjects whose outcome data are missing because they did not complete planned visits.

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