Hazel J Jenkins1, Aron S Downie2, Chris G Maher3, Niamh A Moloney4, John S Magnussen5, Mark J Hancock4. 1. Department of Health Professions, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia; Department of Chiropractic, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia. Electronic address: hazel.jenkins@mq.edu.au. 2. Department of Chiropractic, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia; The University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. 3. The University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. 4. Department of Health Professions, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia. 5. Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The problem of imaging patients with low back pain (LBP) when it is not indicated is well recognized. The converse is also possible, although rarely considered. The extent of these two problems is presently unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate how commonly overuse, and also underuse, of imaging occurs in the management of LBP, and how appropriate use of imaging is assessed. DESIGN: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. PATIENT SAMPLE: The sample comprised patients with LBP presenting to primary care. OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportions of inappropriate referral, and inappropriate non-referral, for diagnostic imaging for LBP were the outcome measures. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched from January 1, 1995 to December 17, 2017. Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. Meta-analyses were performed where appropriate, and strength of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies were included. In patients referred for lumbar imaging, 34.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.1, 43.3) were judged inappropriate by the absence of red flags for serious pathology and 31.6% (95% CI: 28.3, 35.1) were judged inappropriate by the criteria of no clinical suspicion of pathology. In patients presenting for care, imaging was inappropriately performed in 27.7% of cases (95% CI: 21.3, 35.1) when judged by duration of episode, 9.0% of cases (95% CI: 7.4, 11.0) when judged by absence of red flags, and 7.0% (95% CI: 1.8, 23.3) when judged by no clinical suspicion of pathology. In patients presenting for care, imaging was not performed where appropriately indicated in 65.6% (95% CI: 51.8, 77.2) of patients who presented with red flags, and 60.8% (95% CI: 42.0, 76.8) with clinical suspicion of serious pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate imaging is common in LBP management, including both overuse in those where imaging is not indicated and underuse of imaging when it is indicated. Appreciating that both underuse and overuse can occur is fundamental to efforts to improve imaging practice to align with current guidelines and best evidence.
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The problem of imaging patients with low back pain (LBP) when it is not indicated is well recognized. The converse is also possible, although rarely considered. The extent of these two problems is presently unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate how commonly overuse, and also underuse, of imaging occurs in the management of LBP, and how appropriate use of imaging is assessed. DESIGN: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. PATIENT SAMPLE: The sample comprised patients with LBP presenting to primary care. OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportions of inappropriate referral, and inappropriate non-referral, for diagnostic imaging for LBP were the outcome measures. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched from January 1, 1995 to December 17, 2017. Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. Meta-analyses were performed where appropriate, and strength of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies were included. In patients referred for lumbar imaging, 34.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27.1, 43.3) were judged inappropriate by the absence of red flags for serious pathology and 31.6% (95% CI: 28.3, 35.1) were judged inappropriate by the criteria of no clinical suspicion of pathology. In patients presenting for care, imaging was inappropriately performed in 27.7% of cases (95% CI: 21.3, 35.1) when judged by duration of episode, 9.0% of cases (95% CI: 7.4, 11.0) when judged by absence of red flags, and 7.0% (95% CI: 1.8, 23.3) when judged by no clinical suspicion of pathology. In patients presenting for care, imaging was not performed where appropriately indicated in 65.6% (95% CI: 51.8, 77.2) of patients who presented with red flags, and 60.8% (95% CI: 42.0, 76.8) with clinical suspicion of serious pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate imaging is common in LBP management, including both overuse in those where imaging is not indicated and underuse of imaging when it is indicated. Appreciating that both underuse and overuse can occur is fundamental to efforts to improve imaging practice to align with current guidelines and best evidence.
Authors: Fernando Ruiz Santiago; Antonio Jesús Láinez Ramos-Bossini; Yì Xiáng J Wáng; José Pablo Martínez Barbero; Jade García Espinosa; Alberto Martínez Martínez Journal: Quant Imaging Med Surg Date: 2022-07
Authors: Lance M Mabry; Richard Severin; Angela S Gisselman; Michael D Ross; Todd E Davenport; Brian A Young; Aaron P Keil; Don L Goss Journal: J Man Manip Ther Date: 2022-08-13
Authors: Denise A O'Connor; Paul Glasziou; Christopher G Maher; Kirsten J McCaffery; Dina Schram; Brigit Maguire; Robert Ma; Laurent Billot; Alexandra Gorelik; Adrian C Traeger; Loai Albarqouni; Juliet Checketts; Parima Vyas; Brett Clark; Rachelle Buchbinder Journal: JAMA Date: 2022-09-06 Impact factor: 157.335