Sex differences in inappropriate imaging requests: insights from the Medical Imaging Decision And Support (MIDAS)...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
• Health Services Research
• Health Equity

Background:

• Inappropriate diagnostic imaging leads to increased radiation exposure, delayed diagnoses, and higher healthcare costs.
• While multifactorial, sex-based disparities in diagnostic imaging appropriateness are understudied.
• Understanding these disparities is crucial for improving patient outcomes and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether inappropriate diagnostic imaging requests differ between female and male patients.
• To identify potential sex-based disparities in the utilization of diagnostic imaging.
• To inform strategies for more equitable imaging practices.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of baseline data from the multi-center MIDAS study.
• Evaluation of 61,220 imaging requests using the ESR iGuide clinical decision support tool.
• Comparison of inappropriate request proportions between sexes using chi-square tests and odds ratios.

Main Results:

• A significantly higher proportion of inappropriate imaging requests was found in women (7.32%) compared to men (6.08%).
• The odds of an inappropriate request were higher for women (OR 1.22, 99% CI: 1.12-1.33).
• Significant differences were observed in subgroups for Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging and for patients aged 25-65.

Conclusions:

• Women are more likely than men to receive inappropriate diagnostic imaging requests.
• These findings suggest potential sex differences in clinical decision-making regarding diagnostic imaging.
• Further research and sex- and gender-sensitive approaches are needed for equitable imaging practices.