Study indicates millions of Americans may be exposed to high doses of radiation from medical imaging

[Justin]

Study indicates millions of Americans may be exposed to high doses of radiation from medical imaging.

The New York Times (8/27, A14, Berenson) reports, "At least four million Americans under age 65 are exposed to high doses of radiation each year from medical imaging tests," according to a study appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers also found that an estimated "400,000 of those patients receive very high doses, more than the maximum annual exposure allowed for nuclear power plant employees or anyone else who works with radioactive material."

The AP (8/27, Chang) reports that "researchers found about 20 percent were exposed to moderate radiation doses and two percent were exposed to high levels." The work "did not directly address whether medical imaging is being overused, but some doctors are concerned that advanced tests like CT scans are being over-prescribed, and that evidence of their value in certain situations is lacking."

The researchers noted that "these tests not only have a cost in terms of the dollars, but also in terms of the radiation," adding that "those situations when there's not a clear indication for the tests is the issue here," Bloomberg News (8/27, Ostrow) reports.

For the study, the researchers examined insurance "records on nearly one million adults aged 18 to 64 in five regions across the United States: Arizona, Texas, Wisconsin, South Florida, and North Florida," HealthDay (8/26, Gardner) reported. During the study period, "which lasted from the beginning of 2005 to the end of 2007," all participants "were enrolled in the same insurance plan." The analysis revealed that "almost 70 percent of the participants had at least one imaging procedure that exposed them to radiation."

MedPage Today (8/26, Fiore) reported that researchers "found that the mean cumulative effective dose from imaging procedures was 2.4 mSv per patient per year," which is "almost double what's expected from natural sources alone, the researchers said." Still, "there was a wide distribution of doses among their population, as the median effective dose was just 0.1 mSv per person per year." Among various imaging tests, the study showed that "myocardial perfusion imaging and CT scans accounted for the greatest percentage of total dose exposure."

Notably, "the highest radiation exposures occurred among women and older adults," WebMD (8/26, Boyles) reported. But, "imaging-associated exposures among young adults were not insignificant," as 30 percent "of men and 40 percent of women with high exposure per year in the study were under the age of 50." The study also showed that "80 percent of radiation exposures occurred among non-hospitalized patients." The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (8/27, LaMendola), the Wall Street Journal (8/26, Goldstein) Health Blog, and HeartWire (8/26, O'Riordan) also covered the story.

American Medical Association, Copyright © 2009 by Custom Briefings

[Katie]

How do we find out just how much we get with every imaging test? I've had two MRIs, a CT scan and full set of X-Rays last year, and it has been repeated this year. Not to mention several full sets of dental x-rays. I keep asking if that is too much, but just get the 'hand patting' response.

I'm pretty skeptical at the best of times when it comes to the medical system....

[Justin]

How do we find out just how much we get with every imaging test? I've had two MRIs, a CT scan and full set of X-Rays last year, and it has been repeated this year. Not to mention several full sets of dental x-rays. I keep asking if that is too much, but just get the 'hand patting' response.

I'm pretty skeptical at the best of times when it comes to the medical system....

There are average exposure rates for different imaging studies. I will post some more information later today, as I'm headed out the door to a doctor's appointment.

Here's a link to a basic introduction about exposure.

[KBear]

I had 2 MRI's last year, a CAT scan, was under fluroscope for 2 or 3 procedures, had x-rays, took my kid for x-rays, dental x-rays and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.... Oh well, I'm doomed!

[Justin]

The America College of Radiology (ACR) responds to a study appearing in Aug. 27 New England Journal of Medicine Medical imaging exams and image guided procedures are increasingly replacing more invasive and often more costly techniques while saving and extending lives everyday. The ACR, in conjunction with other imaging stakeholders, has long been effectively addressing issues regarding radiation dose from medical imaging exams and inappropriate utilization of these scans.

Patients are urged not to delay or avoid seeking needed imaging care because of radiation concerns raised in a study and an ill-advised and misinformed perspective published in the August 27 New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Please read the full ACR response to this study here:

Medical Imaging Saves and Extends Lives: Patients Should Not Avoid Medical Imaging Care Due to Concerns Raised in Recent NEJM Article

[Nairek]

I have been exposed to so much radiation from imaging studies that I should glow in the dark at this point!

In the past year:
1 set of dental x-rays
5 sets of x-rays of lumbar spine - approx.
1 discogram w/ fluoroscopy
1 facet block w/ fluoroscopy
2 SI Joint injections w/ fluoroscopy
1 CT scan
2 sets of x-rays of the ankle

Other Imaging Studies from 2001-2007:
2 MRI's of the spine
2 MRI's of the neck
1 MRI of the knee
2 sets of x-rays of lumbar spine
2 sets of x-rays of the neck
Bone scan w/ radioactive tracer

I'm sure there is more but I just don't recall them. Good Lord, now I'm freaked out.....lol

[KBear]

I had 2 MRI's last year, a CAT scan, was under fluroscope for 2 or 3 procedures, had x-rays, took my kid for x-rays, dental x-rays and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.... Oh well, I'm doomed!

I completely forgot about all the x-rays I get for my ADR. I probably have had 5 or 6 sets of those this year. Oh well, such is life....

[Nairek]

I look at it this way, if we lose power for a few days, my radiational glow should be able to get us through it

[Justin]

I look at it this way, if we lose power for a few days, my radiational glow should be able to get us through it

Too funny!

[Nairek]

Yeah, I'm a wise ass