Missing Data Approaches in Longitudinal Studies of Aging: A Case Example Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study

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Citation

Duchesneau, Emilie D.; Shmuel, Shahar; Faurot, Keturah R.; Musty, Allison; Park, Jihye; Stürmer, Til; Kinlaw, Alan C.; Yang, Yang Claire; & Lund, Jennifer L. (2023). Missing Data Approaches in Longitudinal Studies of Aging: A Case Example Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study. PLOS ONE, 18(6), e0286984. PMCID: PMC10249888

Abstract

PURPOSE: Missing data is a key methodological consideration in longitudinal studies of aging. We described missing data challenges and potential methodological solutions using a case example describing five-year frailty state transitions in a cohort of older adults.
METHODS: We used longitudinal data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally-representative cohort of Medicare beneficiaries. We assessed the five components of the Fried frailty phenotype and classified frailty based on their number of components (robust: 0, prefrail: 1-2, frail: 3-5). One-, two-, and five-year frailty state transitions were defined as movements between frailty states or death. Missing frailty components were imputed using hot deck imputation. Inverse probability weights were used to account for potentially informative loss-to-follow-up. We conducted scenario analyses to test a range of assumptions related to missing data.
RESULTS: Missing data were common for frailty components measured using physical assessments (walking speed, grip strength). At five years, 36% of individuals were lost-to-follow-up, differentially with respect to baseline frailty status. Assumptions for missing data mechanisms impacted inference regarding individuals improving or worsening in frailty.
CONCLUSIONS: Missing data and loss-to-follow-up are common in longitudinal studies of aging. Robust epidemiologic methods can improve the rigor and interpretability of aging-related research.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286984

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2023

Journal Title

PLOS ONE

Author(s)

Duchesneau, Emilie D.
Shmuel, Shahar
Faurot, Keturah R.
Musty, Allison
Park, Jihye
Stürmer, Til
Kinlaw, Alan C.
Yang, Yang Claire
Lund, Jennifer L.

Article Type

Regular

PMCID

PMC10249888

Data Set/Study

National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS)

Continent/Country

United States

State

Nonspecific

ORCiD

Yang - 0000-0001-7279-1479