Daniel Strauchler MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Katherine Freeman PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Consultant, Johnson & Johnson

Todd Stuart Miller MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose was to assess whether ionizing radiation exposure from medical imaging is associated with socioeconomic status (SES), race, ethnicity, and language preference. By understanding factors associated with increased radiation exposure, physicians can decrease unnecessary ionzing radiation exposure and address inequalities by applying uniform screening standards.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 54,015 patients at a tertiary care academic urban medical center who had an outpatient visit in January 2006. Using literature values, we estimated cumulative radiation exposure from all medical imaging performed over a 3-year period. We determined the relationship between cumulative radiation exposure and age, sex, census tract poverty percentage (an indicator of SES), race, ethnicity, and language preference, and Elixhauser comorbidities. Multiple linear regression analysis was used, stratified by age group (0-21, 22-39, 40-65, >65) and sex, to derive models for the relationship between estimated radiation exposure and patient characteristics.

Increasing age, female sex, comorbidities, and living in census tracts with greater than 10% poverty are associated with increased estimated radiation exposure. In the multiple linear regression models, living in areas with 0-10% poverty rate was significantly associated with decreased radiation exposure in the 40-65 age ranges for males and females, but not for other age and sex groups. For males 40-65, whites have lower cumulative radiation, while for females 40-65 and >65, identifying as multi-racial is associated with increased radiation exposure. English speaking preference was significantly associated with radiation exposure in nearly all groups.  

Efforts to decrease radiation exposure should focus in part on patients aged 40-65 from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Females and English speakers should also be targeted.

Efforts to decrease radiation exposure should focus in part on patients aged 40-65 from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. Females and English speakers should also be targeted.

Strauchler, D, Freeman, K, Miller, T, The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Ionizing Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9003653.html