Prevalence and Correlates of Worry About the Health Harms of Medical Imaging Radiation in the General Population

Abstract

Background In recent years, there have been dramatic increases in medical imaging use and increasing media attention to increased exposure to ionizing radiation in the United States. Patient perspectives on medical imaging radiation (MIR) use understudied, but could guide primary care discussions. This study examines prevalence of worry about the health harms from MIR in the United States general population. Methods This cross-sectional study used the 2012–2013 Health Information National Trends Survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute. A nationally representative sample (N=3532) was drawn from the United States general population to observe prevalence of worry about MIR as well as potential covariates including demographic, medical and psychological factors, health information-seeking, physician trust in providing cancer information, and cancer fatalism. Results About 65% of the sample population reported experiencing at least some worry about MIR. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions indicate higher rates of MIR worry among women, racial/ethnic minorities, those with lower educational attainment, foreign-born Americans, those who self-report poorer health, and those with a personal history of cancer. Lower trust in cancer information from physicians and greater attention to cancer information from popular media were each associated with higher rates of worry about health harms of MIR. Conclusions An accurate assessment of public worry about MIR will aid primary care providers’ efforts to understand patient responses to medical imaging and identify addressable knowledge gaps regarding benefits and risks of medical imaging. These data may improve risk communication regarding medical imaging among referring primary care physicians, radiologists and patients.

Readability of patient education materials related to radiation safety: What are the implications for patient-centred radiology care?

“…However, there is a general lack of understanding of the risks of radiation exposure with a systematic review in 2010 reporting that “only a minority of physicians were well-informed” about radiation doses and radiation risks and that less than a quarter discussed risks with their patients [ 18 ]. Two-thirds of people report worrying about the health risks associated with radiation exposure during imaging tests, and 12% report high levels of worry [ 19 ]. Patient anxiety may negatively impact quality of life and lead to avoidance of imaging tests [ 19 ].…”

“…Two-thirds of people report worrying about the health risks associated with radiation exposure during imaging tests, and 12% report high levels of worry [ 19 ]. Patient anxiety may negatively impact quality of life and lead to avoidance of imaging tests [ 19 ].…”

Radiation Dose Exposure for Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections and Facet Joint Blocks Under CT vs. Fluoroscopic Guidance

“…There has been an exponential growth in the number of imaging‐guided interventional procedures in the past decade, resulting in a higher cumulative exposure of ionizing radiation for both patients and physicians . Many patients undergo multiple interventional pain procedures per year to achieve maximum benefit.…”

Prevalence and Correlates of Worry About Medical Imaging Radiation Among United States Cancer Survivors

“…General anxiety was unrelated to MIR worry in both the unadjusted and adjusted analyses; while our current findings indicate the primary importance of other factors over general anxiety, general anxiety was an important indicator of potential high levels of MIR worry in the general US population [56]. These findings suggest that MIR-specific worry is distinct from general worry.…”