S J Shah1, A Rehman2,3, M H S Shaukat1, M Awais4. 1. Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University, P.O. Box 3500, Stadium Road, Karachi, Sindh, 74800, Pakistan. 2. Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University, P.O. Box 3500, Stadium Road, Karachi, Sindh, 74800, Pakistan. jsmawais@yahoo.com. 3. Internal Medicine Section, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar. jsmawais@yahoo.com. 4. Department of Radiology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, P.O. Box 3500, Stadium Road, Karachi, Sindh, 74800, Pakistan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An executive health examination is offered at many hospitals for "busy executives" that comprises of a typical history and examination along with screening tests for major cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. Exercise stress tests are also frequently included in such packages, though the appropriateness of such stress testing remains uncertain. AIM: To assess the appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of exercise stress tests performed as part of executive health examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of all individuals who underwent an executive health examination at our institution between January, 2007 and December, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected pertaining to demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, indication of stress testing and results of exercise stress tests. RESULTS: Of a total of 1650 subjects who underwent exercise stress tests as part of executive health examinations, indication for exercise stress testing was class IIb or III (as per American College of Cardiology's appropriateness criteria) in 96.1 % of subjects. The cumulative cost and time burden of testing for these subjects were Rs. 11,419,200/- PKR (≈$114,192 USD) and 2 weeks and 4 days, respectively. Exercise stress tests were not positive for ischemia in any such cases. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, exercise stress tests should not be routinely offered as part of executive health examinations.
BACKGROUND: An executive health examination is offered at many hospitals for "busy executives" that comprises of a typical history and examination along with screening tests for major cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. Exercise stress tests are also frequently included in such packages, though the appropriateness of such stress testing remains uncertain. AIM: To assess the appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of exercise stress tests performed as part of executive health examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of all individuals who underwent an executive health examination at our institution between January, 2007 and December, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected pertaining to demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, indication of stress testing and results of exercise stress tests. RESULTS: Of a total of 1650 subjects who underwent exercise stress tests as part of executive health examinations, indication for exercise stress testing was class IIb or III (as per American College of Cardiology's appropriateness criteria) in 96.1 % of subjects. The cumulative cost and time burden of testing for these subjects were Rs. 11,419,200/- PKR (≈$114,192 USD) and 2 weeks and 4 days, respectively. Exercise stress tests were not positive for ischemia in any such cases. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, exercise stress tests should not be routinely offered as part of executive health examinations.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cardiopulmonary exercise test; Cost-benefit data; Executive health examination; Periodic health evaluation
Authors: Wayne N Burton; Chin-Yu Chen; Daniel J Conti; Alyssa B Schultz; Dee W Edington Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2002-08 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Raymond J Gibbons; Gary J Balady; J Timothy Bricker; Bernard R Chaitman; Gerald F Fletcher; Victor F Froelicher; Daniel B Mark; Ben D McCallister; Aryan N Mooss; Michael G O'Reilly; William L Winters; Raymond J Gibbons; Elliott M Antman; Joseph S Alpert; David P Faxon; Valentin Fuster; Gabriel Gregoratos; Loren F Hiratzka; Alice K Jacobs; Richard O Russell; Sidney C Smith Journal: Circulation Date: 2002-10-01 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: L Ebony Boulware; Spyridon Marinopoulos; Karran A Phillips; Constance W Hwang; Kenric Maynor; Dan Merenstein; Renee F Wilson; George J Barnes; Eric B Bass; Neil R Powe; Gail L Daumit Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2007-02-20 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Renske Meijer; Martijn van Hooff; Nicole E Papen-Botterhuis; Charlotte J L Molenaar; Marta Regis; Thomas Timmers; Lonneke V van de Poll-Franse; Hans H C M Savelberg; Goof Schep Journal: Int J Gen Med Date: 2022-04-05