Early diagnostic imaging in older adults with back pain does not improve outcome
A recent study published in JAMA titled "Association of Early Imaging for Back Pain with Clinical Outcomes in Older Adults" demonstrates that at 12 months, patients that received early radiographs, MRI, or CT did not differ significantly when compared to controls that did not have early diagnostic studies.
Early diagnostic studies in older patients has been suggested in order to detect serious conditions such as tumors or infection. The purpose of this study was to determine if early diagnostics did provide improved outcomes. Over 5,000 patients over the age of 65 were followed from 2011-2013.
The results of this study indicate that early diagnostic studies were not associated with improved one year outcomes. This study confirms the need for an accurate history and physical examination. Diagnostics are to be ordered based upon all of the available data, not based specifically on age.
Association of early imaging for back pain with clinical outcomes in older adults- JAMA. 2015:313 (11):1143-1153: LINK
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