Journal Article

PROgnostic Value of unrequested Information in Diagnostic Imaging (PROVIDI) Study: rationale and design

Jacobs, P. C. A., van der Graaf, Y, Mali, W. P. Th. M., Grobbee, D. E., Buckens, C. F. M., Gondrie, M. J. A.

2010

Overview

We describe the rationale for a new study examining the prognostic value of unrequested findings in diagnostic imaging. The deployment of more advanced imaging modalities in routine care means that such findings are being detected with increasing frequency. However, as the prognostic significance of many types of unrequested findings is unknown, the optimal response to such findings remains uncertain and in many cases an overly defensive approach is adopted, to the detriment of patient-care. Additionally, novel and promising image findings that are newly available on many routine scans cannot be used to improve patient care until their prognostic value is properly determined. The PROVIDI study seeks to address these issues using an innovative multi-center case-cohort study design. PROVIDI is to consist of a series of studies investigating specific, selected disease entities and clusters. Computed Tomography images from the participating hospitals are reviewed for unrequested findings. Subsequently, this data is pooled with outcome data from a central population registry. Study populations consist of patients with endpoints relevant to the (group of) disease(s) under study along with a random control sample from the cohort. This innovative design allows PROVIDI to evaluate selected unrequested image findings for their true prognostic value in a series of manageable studies. By incorporating unrequested image findings and outcomes data relevant to patients, truly meaningful conclusions about the prognostic value of unrequested and emerging image findings can be reached and used to improve patient-care.

• Publisher: Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands,Springer,Springer Netherlands,Springer Nature B.V,Springer Verlag
• Subject: Adult / Biological and medical sciences / Cardiology / Cardiovascular diseases / Case-cohort / Cohort Studies / Computed tomography / Computerized axial tomography / Design / Diagnostic imaging / Epidemiology / Female / General aspects / Health outcomes / Humans / Incidental Findings / Infectious Diseases / International Classification of Diseases / Lungs / Male / Medical diagnosis / Medical prognosis / Medical sciences / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Middle Aged / Miscellaneous / Myocardial ischemia / NEW STUDY / Oncology / Outcome analysis / Peripheral artery disease / Predictive Value of Tests / Public Health / Public health. Hygiene / Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine / Pulmonary heart disease / Radiology / Research design / Retrospective Studies / Tomography / Tomography, X-Ray Computed