title: Chest X-rays in COPD screening: are they worthwhile?
abstract: The BTS/NICE COPD guideline recommends a chest X-ray at initial COPD evaluation; this is a grade D recommendation based on expert opinion. We have investigated which pathologies other than COPD are detected by chest X-ray and how they alter management. Dundee smokers aged 40 or over and receiving bronchodilators are assessed for COPD by their practice nurse and offered a chest X-ray if there is no record of a chest X-ray within the previous three years. We retrospectively analysed the chest X-ray reports and case records of these patients. The chest X-ray report was structured with 7 specific questions, most importantly "Are there any features of other disease likely to be causing dyspnoea?" and "Are there any features to suggest lung cancer?" Management of patients with chest X-ray findings suggesting other disease causing dyspnoea or lung cancer was assessed by questionnaire and case record study. Five hundred forty-six consecutive chest X-ray reports were analysed. Fourteen percent of all chest X-rays detected potentially treatable dyspnoea causing disease; where management following receipt of X-ray reports was audited, 84% were thought to help. Eleven lung cancers were detected, 3 had stage 1 disease. Considerable benign and malignant pathology is detected by chest X-ray performed at initial COPD assessment. Clinical management is changed in the majority with a potentially treatable abnormality. This evidence suggests that the NICE guideline to perform chest X-ray at initial COPD evaluation should be elevated from a grade D to grade C recommendation.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
authors.forename: G M F
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies