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. 2025 Aug;44(8):1218-1229.
doi: 10.1177/07334648241302159. Epub 2024 Dec 10.

Predictors of Retention in the 1Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) Over Two Waves

Shanna L Burke  1   2 , Warren Barker  2   3 , Adrienne Grudzien  1 , Maria T Greig-Custo  2   3 , Raquel Behar  2   3 , Rosemarie A Rodriguez  2   3 , Monica Rosselli  2   4 , Idaly Velez Uribe  2   4 , David A Loewenstein  2   5 , Miriam J Rodriguez  6 , Cesar Chirinos  2   3 , Carlos Quinonez  3 , Joanna Gonzalez  2   3 , Yaimara Gonzalez Pineiro  2   3 , Mileidys Herrera  2   3 , Malek Adjouadi  2   7 , Michael Marsiske  2   8 , Ranjan Duara  2   3
Affiliations

Predictors of Retention in the 1Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) Over Two Waves

Shanna L Burke et al. J Appl Gerontol. 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Attrition is a significant methodological concern in longitudinal studies. Sample loss can limit generalizability and compromise internal validity. Methods: Wave one (n = 346) and wave two follow-ups (n = 196) of the 1Florida ADRC clinical core were examined using a 24-month visit window. Results: The sample (59% Hispanic) demonstrated retention rates of 77.2% and 86.2% in waves one and two, respectively. Predictors of lower retention in wave one included older age, amnestic MCI or dementia, and lower cognition and function scores. Completing a baseline MRI and lack of hippocampal atrophy were associated with higher retention in both waves. In wave two, a greater neighborhood disadvantage score was associated with attrition. Discussion: Predictors of retention changed over time, possibly due to the early withdrawal of the most vulnerable in the initial wave. Understanding predictors of retention can facilitate retention strategies, reduce attrition, and increase the validity of findings.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; attrition; cognitive function; functional activities; retention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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