Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33209169›Full record

ArticleThe Pan African medical journal2020

Multidetector computed tomography utilization in an urban sub-Saharan Africa setting: user characteristics, indications and appropriateness.

Joshua Tambe, Lawrence Mbuagbaw, Georges Nguefack-Tsague, Joseph Foyet, Pierre Ongolo-Zogo

Abstract read
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Article in The Pan African medical journal, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Joshua TambePost-Graduate School for Life Sciences, Health and Environment, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Lawrence MbuagbawCentre for the Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH), Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Georges Nguefack-TsagueBiostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Joseph FoyetDeido Radiology and Ultrasonography Centre, Douala, Cameroon.
Pierre Ongolo-ZogoPost-Graduate School for Life Sciences, Health and Environment, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionmultidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a widely used cross-sectional imaging modality despite increasing concerns about radiation exposure and overuse. The aim of this study was to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of MDCT users in an urban city in Cameroon and to assess the clinical indications for appropriateness.

methodswe conducted a survey of MDCT users and collected data on demographic attributes and socialization patterns, clinical indications for MDCT and time to obtain MDCT. MDCT appropriateness was assessed using the American College of Radiologists Appropriateness Criteria®. Frequencies, percentages, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to summarize the data.

resultswith a response rate of 79%, 511 MDCT users were surveyed. The mean (standard deviation) age was 45(19) years and male to female sex ratio 1:1. Seventy-eight percent (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74-83%) of respondents reported not having any health insurance. Head scans accounted for 52% (95%CI: 47-56%) of all scans with trauma (19% [95%CI: 15-22%]), low back pain (18% [95%CI: 14-21%]) and suspected stroke (10% [95%CI: 7-13%]) being the most frequent indications. Sixteen percent (95%CI: 13-20%) of the scans were judged to be inappropriate. Predictors of MDCT appropriateness after multivariable logistic regression modeling were age (aOR=0.97; P=0.009; 95%CI=0.94-0.99), health insurance ownership (aOR=0.40; P=0.034; 95%CI=0.18-0.94) and being referred by non-specialist physicians (aOR=0.20; P<0.001; 95%CI=0.09-0.47).

conclusionpeople from all social strata use MDCT, mostly appropriately and especially for head scans after trauma in this urban setting. However, the proportion of inappropriate studies was considerable suggesting the need for control measures.

Indexed as

AdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAge FactorsCameroonChildChild, PreschoolHumansInfantInsurance, HealthMaleMiddle AgedMultidetector Computed TomographySurveys and QuestionnairesUnnecessary ProceduresappropriatenessMultidetector computed tomographyutilization

Identifiers

PMID33209169
PMCPMC7648473

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.