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Open Access 01-09-2014 | Chest

Prevalence and variables associated with solitary pulmonary nodules in a routine clinic-based population: a cross-sectional study

Authors: N. Gómez-Sáez, I. González-Álvarez, J. Vilar, I. Hernández-Aguado, M. L. Domingo, M. F. Lorente, M. Pastor-Valero, L. A. Parker, N. Picazo, J. Calbo, B. Lumbreras

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 9/2014

Abstract

Objective

To determine the prevalence of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) in chest radiology studies and patient’s features associated with malignancy in a non-high-risk clinical population.

Methods

Patients ≥35 years were referred for thoracic imaging in two hospitals (2010-2011). Eight radiologists determined the presence and characteristics of SPN. Selected variables were collected from radiological register and medical records. Observer agreement in the diagnosis of SPN was assessed.

Results

25,529 patients were included: 23,102 (90.5 %) underwent chest radiograph and 2,497 (9.5 %) a CT. The prevalence of SPN was 2.1 % (95 % CI 1.9 – 2.3) in radiographs and 17.0 % (95 % CI 15.5 – 18.5) in CT. In patients undergoing chest radiograph, detection of SPN with an irregular border was more frequent among smokers. In patients who had a CT, larger SPNs appeared to be associated with 60 years of age or over, diagnosis of a respiratory illness, or male gender. In addition, an irregular border was also more common among men.

Conclusions

The prevalence of SPNs detected by both radiograph and CT was lower than that shown in screening studies. Patient characteristics such as age, sex, respiratory disease, or smoking habit were associated with nodule characteristics that are known to be related with malignancy.

Key Points

• There is a lower SPN prevalence in the clinical population than in screening studies.

• SPN prevalence is associated with some patient characteristics: sex, age, imaging test.

• Nodule characteristics related to malignancy were associated with some patient characteristics.

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Title: Prevalence and variables associated with solitary pulmonary nodules in a routine clinic-based population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: N. Gómez-Sáez
I. González-Álvarez
J. Vilar
I. Hernández-Aguado
M. L. Domingo
M. F. Lorente
M. Pastor-Valero
L. A. Parker
N. Picazo
J. Calbo
B. Lumbreras
Publication date: 01-09-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 9/2014
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3249-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Prevalence and variables associated with solitary pulmonary nodules in a routine clinic-based population: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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