Assessment of appropriateness of follow up CT on oncologic patients who have follow up at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Follow-up is the medical care of patients once their treatment has been completed. Radiologic imaging particularly CT is part of follow up care, so that appropriate CT request is important to avoid CT related adverse effects like high radiation dose, health care cost, increasing waiting time and contrast related adverse effect. Objective:- To assess appropriateness of follow up CT on oncologic patients at st. paul millennium medical college referral hospital and to identify factors related to inappropriateness. Material and methods: Institutional based retrospective study conducted between June 7, 2024 to June 30, 2024.The study subject were selected using systematic sampling technique. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done, Odds ratio (OR) and P-value (P) were used to determine strength of association and to look statistical significance association. Result Two hundred ninety nine (84.5 %) were not considered appropriate on the basis of the information available from the medical record. The most common cause of Inappropriateness were CT examinations both with and without contrast (n=289) followed by extended to unnecessary anatomical scan region (n=70). No statistically significant difference was found in age, sex, scan region, and primary cancer between appropriate and inappropriate examinations. The only variable significantly associated with inappropriateness was CT scan done both with and without contrast and type of primary cancer Conclusion: This study shows that majority of oncological patients don’t follow standard guidelines. Mainly due to CT examination done with and without contrast, CT scan done both with and without contrast and type of primary cancer shows significant association with inappropriateness. Key Words: Follow up care, oncologic patient, computed tomography and level of appropriateness