Resources could be better spent and patients would be better off if MR, CT, and radiography were not performed routinely on patients with low back pain, according to Oregon Health and Science University researchers.
Lead author Dr. Roger Chou and colleagues at OHSU Oregon Evidence-Based Practice Center reviewed randomized controlled trials of more than 1800 patients that compared imaging performed soon after the onset of symptoms with x-ray, MR, or CT against clinical care that did not involve immediate imaging. This included indices of pain and function, quality of life, mental health, overall patient-reported improvement, and patient satisfaction. The study concluded that imaging is appropriate when the physician observes features of a serious condition underlying low back pain.
The analysis found no significant differences between immediate imaging and usual clinical care. Investigators noted that imaging could increase costs if it leads to unnecessary invasive procedures. They published results in mid-February in The Lancet.
