Surgical Specialities, University of Adelaide, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA, 5011, Australia.
Registry of Senior Australians, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
BMC Geriatr. 2022 Feb 4;22(1):100. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-02786-1.
Older Australians are major health service users and early diagnosis is key in the management of their health. Radiological services are an important component of diagnosis and disease management planning in older Australians, but their national utilisation of diagnostic services has never been investigated in Australia.
This study aims to evaluate the utilisation of major plain X-rays by Australians ≥ 65 years old.
A population-based epidemiological evaluation and yearly cross-sectional analyses of X-ray examinations per 1,000 Australians aged ≥ 65 years old between 2009 and 2019 were conducted using publicly available Medicare Benefits Schedule and Australian Bureau of Statistics data sources. Age and sex specific incidence rate (IR) of plain X-rays per 1,000 Australians, adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a negative binomial regression model.
During the study period, the Australian population over 65 years old increased by 39% while the crude plain X-ray utilisation by this population increased by 63%. Most X-rays were conducted on extremities or the chest. Men used chest radiography more than women, and particularly for lungs, where the incidence increased the most in those ≥ 85 years old. There was an increase in X-rays of extremities and the hip joint between 2009-10 and 2013-14 in people ≥ 85 years old.
The utilisation of plain X-rays of the chest, the gastro-intestinal tract and extremities was high and has increased among older Australians between 2009-10 and 2018-19. Plain X-rays remain a commonly used diagnostic tool for conditions affecting the older population.
澳大利亚老年人是主要的医疗服务使用者，早期诊断是管理其健康的关键。放射服务是诊断和疾病管理计划的重要组成部分，在澳大利亚，老年人的全国放射服务利用情况从未被调查过。
本研究旨在评估澳大利亚≥65 岁人群对主要普通 X 射线的利用情况。
利用公共医疗保险福利计划和澳大利亚统计局的数据资源，对 2009 年至 2019 年间每 1000 名≥65 岁澳大利亚人每年进行一次 X 射线检查，进行基于人群的流行病学评估和每年的横断面分析。使用负二项回归模型估计每 1000 名澳大利亚人普通 X 射线的年龄和性别特异性发病率（IR）、调整发病率比（IRR）和 95%置信区间（CI）。
在研究期间，澳大利亚 65 岁以上人口增加了 39%，而该人群的普通 X 射线使用率增加了 63%。大多数 X 射线是针对四肢或胸部进行的。男性比女性更多地进行胸部 X 光检查，特别是对于肺部，≥85 岁人群的发病率增加最多。≥85 岁人群的四肢和髋关节 X 射线数量在 2009-10 年至 2013-14 年间有所增加。
胸部、胃肠道和四肢的普通 X 射线使用率较高，在 2009-10 年至 2018-19 年期间，澳大利亚老年人的使用率有所增加。普通 X 射线仍然是一种常用于诊断影响老年人群体疾病的工具。
