Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38982690›Full record

Observational studyJournal of medical radiation sciences2025

Demonstrating the use of population level data to investigate trends in the rate, radiation dose and cost of Computed Tomography across clinical groups: Are there any areas of concern?

Sviatlana Kamarova, David Youens, Ninh T Ha, Max Bulsara, Jenny Doust, Richard Fox, Marlene Kritz, Donald McRobbie, Peter O'Leary, Paul M Parizel and 3 more

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Journal of medical radiation sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Continuing Professional Development - Medical Imaging.Journal of medical radiation sciences · 2025
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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

13 authors.

Sviatlana KamarovaHealth Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5271-8482
David YouensHealth Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4296-4161
Ninh T HaHealth Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.
Max BulsaraInstitute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Western Australia, Australia.
Jenny DoustAustralian Women and Girls' Health Research (AWaGHR) Centre, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Richard FoxDivision of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Marlene KritzHealth Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.
Donald McRobbieSchool of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Peter O'LearyHealth Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.
Paul M ParizelMedical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
John SlavotinekSA Medical Imaging, SA Health and College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Cameron WrightHealth Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.
Rachael MoorinHealth Economics and Data Analytics, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council APP1144573
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionIncreases in computed tomography (CT) use may not always reflect clinical need or improve outcomes. This study aimed to demonstrate how population level data can be used to identify variations in care between patient groups, by analysing system-level changes in CT use around the diagnosis of new conditions.

methodsRetrospective repeated cross-sectional observational study using West Australian linked administrative records, including 504,723 adults diagnosed with different conditions in 2006, 2012 and 2015. For 90 days pre/post diagnosis, CT use (any and 2+ scans), effective dose (mSv), lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer incidence and mortality from CT, and costs were assessed.

resultsCT use increased from 209.4 per 1000 new diagnoses in 2006 to 258.0 in 2015; increases were observed for all conditions except neoplasms. Healthcare system costs increased for all conditions but neoplasms and mental disorders. Effective dose increased substantially for respiratory (+2.5 mSv, +23.1%, P < 0.001) and circulatory conditions (+2.1 mSv, +15.4%, P < 0.001). The LAR of cancer incidence and mortality from CT increased for endocrine (incidence +23.4%, mortality +18.0%) and respiratory disorders (+21.7%, +23.3%). Mortality LAR increased for circulatory (+12.1%) and nervous system (+11.0%) disorders. The LAR of cancer incidence and mortality reduced for musculoskeletal system disorders, despite an increase in repeated CT in this group.

conclusionsUse and costs increased for most conditions except neoplasms and mental and behavioural disorders. More strategic CT use may have occurred in musculoskeletal conditions, while use and radiation burden increased for respiratory, circulatory and nervous system conditions. Using this high-level approach we flag areas requiring deeper investigation into appropriateness and value of care.

Indexed as

Health Care CostsRadiation DosageTomography, X-Ray ComputedAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesComputed tomographytrendsutilisation

Identifiers

PMID38982690
PMCPMC12449605

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

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.