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Published on: May 28, 2013
Effective dose: how should it be applied to medical exposures?
1Department of Clinical Physics and Bio-Engineering, Health Physics, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, West House, Glasgow G12 0XH, UK. colin.martin@northglasgow.scot.nhs.uk
The British Journal of Radiology
|July 25, 2007
Summary
The effective dose (E) quantifies radiation detriment but has significant uncertainties. Risk estimates based on E for medical exposures can vary significantly, necessitating cautious application.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Dosimetry
- Radiological Protection
Background:
- The effective dose (E) is a calculated quantity relating radiation exposure to health detriment probability.
- It uses tissue weighting factors derived from epidemiological data for radiation protection.
- E is widely applied to medical exposures, often exceeding its evidence base.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review uncertainties in effective dose (E) and risk coefficients for patients.
- To assess the reliability of E as a risk indicator in medical exposures.
- To propose recommendations for using E and describing risk in patient care.
Main Methods:
- Review of uncertainties in effective dose (E) estimation for a reference patient.
- Analysis of associated risk coefficients derived from epidemiological evidence.
- Evaluation of the variability of risk estimates for individual patients.
Main Results:
- Relative uncertainty in estimated effective dose (E) for medical exposures is approximately +/-40%.
- Estimated cancer risk can be up to threefold higher or lower than predicted.
- Risk variability is greater for individuals compared to reference patients.
Conclusions:
- Over-reliance on effective dose (E) and associated risk estimates in medical settings is not fully justified by the evidence.
- Significant uncertainties necessitate careful interpretation of effective dose (E) in patient risk assessment.
- Recommendations are proposed for the appropriate use of effective dose (E) and risk communication in medical imaging.
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