Comparison of utilization rate of CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis in patients with elevated BMI compared to patients with normal BMI presenting to the ER with gastrointestinal symptoms

• We found a positive correlation between increased BMI and a higher rate of CT scans.
• The patients with elevated BMI had higher CT utilization rates, (p = 0.045).
• The number of significant and non-significant CT findings was similar in both groups.
• Our data supports studies that found associations between GI symptoms and elevated BMI.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine if patients with elevated BMI were more likely to get Abdominopelvic CT imaging compared to patients with normal BMI presenting with similar Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms to the Emergency Room (ER).MethodsThe study included 611 adults presenting to the ER with GI symptoms during the study period, of which 291 patients underwent CT imaging. ER triage notes and electronic records were used to identify patients' demographic data, symptoms, body weight and height. BMI was used as a measure of obesity. Reports of the CT scans were reviewed and categorized into normal cases, cases with non-acute incidental findings and cases with acute significant findings by the reviewers. A chi-square test was used to compare the two groups.ResultsOf the 611 patients, 231 (37.8%) had a normal BMI (<25 kg/m2), and 380 (62.2%) had an elevated BMI (>25 kg/m2). Of the 231 patients with normal BMI, 98 (42.4%) received CT imaging. Of the 380 patients with elevated BMI, 193 (50.8%) underwent CT imaging, (p = 0.045). The percentage of acute significant CT findings was similar in both groups (45.9% vs. 45.6%), (p > 0.05). The elevated BMI group had a higher percentage of normal exams compared to the normal BMI group (44.0% vs. 10.2%), (p < 0.0001). The percentage of non-acute incidental findings was higher in the normal BMI group compared to the elevated BMI group (43.8% vs. 10.3%), (p < 0.0001).ConclusionAccording to our study results, there is a positive correlation between increased BMI and a higher utilization rate of abdominal CT imaging, (p = 0.045).