Incidental findings in whole-body MR imaging of a population-based cohort study: Frequency, management and psychosocial consequences

Schlett, Christopher L.; Rospleszcz, Susanne; Korbmacher, Dorina; Lorbeer, Roberto; Auweter, Sigrid; Hetterich, Holger; Selder, Sonja; Heier, Margit; Linkohr, Birgit; Weckbach, Sabine; Ertl-Wagner, Birgit; Peters, Annette und Bamberg, Fabian (2021): Incidental findings in whole-body MR imaging of a population-based cohort study: Frequency, management and psychosocial consequences. In: European Journal of Radiology, Bd. 134, 109451

Abstract

Objectives: Management of incidental findings (IF) remains controversial but highly relevant. Our aim was to assess the frequency, management and psychosocial consequences of IF reporting in a population-based cohort study undergoing whole-body MR imaging. Methods: The study was nested in a prospective cohort from a longitudinal, population-based cohort (KORA-FF4) in southern Germany. All MR obtained on 3T MR scanner were reviewed by board-certified radiologists regarding clinically relevant IF. A baseline and follow-up questionnaires including PHQ-9 were completed prior to and 6-month after to the scan. Results: Of 400 participants (56.3 +/- 9.2years, 58 % male) undergoing whole-body MR, IF were found in 22 % of participants (n = 89);most frequently located in the abdominal sequences. In the pre-scan survey, most participants stated as the motivation that they wanted to contribute to a scientific purpose (91 %), while knowing whether I'm healthy was the most frequent motivation reported 6 months post-scan (88 %). The desire for IF reporting increased over time (pre- vs. 6-months-post-scan), also for clinically less important IF (72 % vs. 84 %, p = 0.001). Regarding psychosocial impact, a small portion (3.4 %) reported that awaiting the IF report added definitely or very probably additional stress burden. Of participants with reported IF, 56.8 % classified the results as very helpful. In the post-scan survey moderate depression was observed in 3.3 % and severe depression in 1.2 %. This did not differ between participants with and without reported IF. Conclusion: In a cohort with whole-body MR imaging, the prevalence of IF was high. Participants considered reporting of IF highly important and added only minor psychological burden.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• ISSN: 0720-048X
• Sprache: Englisch