Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Matteo Fiore, Matteo Ricci, Annalisa Rosso, Maria Elena Flacco, Lamberto Manzoli
Summary: This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in patients with a clinical diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The results showed that a large proportion of patients are erroneously diagnosed with COPD when spirometry is not used, and approximately half of them are also incorrectly treated.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jarawee Sukmanee, Rukmanee Butchon, Myka Harun Sarajan, Thanayut Saeraneesopon, Chulathip Boonma, Picharee Karunayawong, Yot Teerawattananon, Wanrudee Isaranuwatchai
Summary: This study analyzed data from acute appendicitis patients in Thailand and found potential overdiagnosis and overtreatment of acute appendicitis during the COVID-19 lockdown. Despite a decrease in overall admissions, the rates of generalized peritonitis and complications remained stable. These findings can help improve clinical practice and optimize the utilization of surgical services during future pandemics.
Review
Oncology
Linda M. Pak, Monica Morrow
Summary: With an improved understanding of the biology of breast cancer, it has been questioned whether the same treatment strategies should be used for patients with early-stage and favorable disease, compared to those with biologically aggressive disease. In addition, reducing overtreatment of breast cancer has become increasingly important due to the recognition of the side effects of common treatments and the increasing cost of breast cancer care.
EXPERT REVIEW OF ANTICANCER THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Patti Shih, Brooke Nickel, Chris Degeling, Rae Thomas, Juan P. Brito, Donald S. A. McLeod, Kirsten McCaffery, Stacy M. Carter
Summary: Community juries in Sydney, Wodonga, and Cairns in Australia discussed the use of cancer terminology in the treatment of small papillary thyroid cancers, with mixed opinions on whether to change the terminology. The juries emphasized the need for practical changes to address the harms of overtreatment, regardless of the decision on terminology.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rachel L. Ross, Karl Rubio, Hector P. Rodriguez
Summary: This study examines the association between physician practice decision-aid use and mammography rates among older women. The results showed that advanced health information technology functions were associated with mammography use, while practice use of decision aids was not. Beneficiary characteristics had a stronger association with mammography use than practice-level decision-aid use or advanced health information technology functions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Minna Johansson, Franciszek Borys, Hanna Peterson, Giulia Bilamour, Matteo Bruschettini, Karsten Juhl Jorgensen
Summary: The study found that Cochrane reviews assessing screening interventions often do not adequately address the major harms associated with these interventions, reflecting a lack of reporting in primary research. Developing reporting guidelines and core outcome sets is essential to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the harms of screening interventions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Triana Moreno, Jose Luis Sanz, Maria Melo, Carmen Llena
Summary: The study evaluated the tendency for overdiagnosis and overtreatment among last-year dentistry students at Valencia University in different clinical situations. Findings revealed students' inclination towards overtreatment of caries, inadequate selection of treatment for pulp pathology, and unnecessary treatment in medically compromised patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Natalie Armstrong
Summary: This article discusses the issues of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in contemporary healthcare, suggesting that educating patients and clinicians alone may not be sufficient to address the problem effectively. It emphasizes that overdiagnosis and overtreatment should be seen as a result of the organizational, financial, and cultural attributes of the healthcare system, and proposes a new research agenda for the area.
SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS
(2021)
Article
Education, Special
Paul L. Morgan, Adrienne D. Woods, Yangyang Wang
Summary: Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of ADHD can potentially harm children and lead to skepticism towards those with moderate or severe symptoms. This study found that White children are more likely to be overdiagnosed and medicated compared to non-White children.
JOURNAL OF LEARNING DISABILITIES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Earl Hubbell, Christina A. Clarke, Alexander M. Aravanis, Christine D. Berg
Summary: Cancer is a major global health issue, with many cases diagnosed at late stages. The study explores the potential public health impact of incorporating MCED tests into routine care, showing significant reductions in cancer mortality rates. The findings suggest that implementing MCED tests could have a substantial positive effect on public health outcomes.
CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jean-Luc Bulliard, Anna-Belle Beau, Sisse Njor, Wendy Yi-Ying Wu, Pietro Procopio, Carolyn Nickson, Elsebeth Lynge
Summary: The study focused on quantifying the variation in estimated breast cancer overdiagnosis in organised programmes, using observed and simulated data, as well as modelling to provide additional insights. Reliable observational data and modeling studies suggest that less than 10% of invasive breast cancer cases in a screening population of women aged 50 to 69 are due to overdiagnosis. Results suggest that estimates above this level may be attributed to inaccuracies in study design, directing the need for improved methodology in future research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Andrew J. Vickers, Amit Sud, Jonine Bernstein, Richard Houlston
Summary: The study proposes using polygenic risk scores (PRSs) based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to determine high-risk subgroups for cancer screening. However, these PRSs only predict cancer incidence and do not address the issue of overdiagnosis. The authors develop a net-benefit framework to evaluate screening strategies, and find that screening based on a marker that predicts cancer mortality rather than incidence can lead to greater net benefits.
NPJ PRECISION ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
David F. Yankelevitz, Claudia I. Henschke
Summary: There has been ongoing concern and confusion about overdiagnosis in lung cancer screening, with the current definition and frequency of occurrence remaining unclear. The lack of clarity stems from the current epidemiologic definition, which does not consider the clinical presentation of cancer, leading to confusion about the actual rate of overdiagnosis.
TRANSLATIONAL LUNG CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Kathrin Loosli, Alicia Davis, Adrian Muwonge, Tiziana Lembo
Summary: Universal access to healthcare, including quality medicines, is considered a fundamental human right, but is still inaccessible to many in low- and middle-income countries. An existing framework captures variability in access to healthcare in low-resource settings through the dimensions of availability, accessibility, affordability, adequacy, and acceptability. The effectiveness of accessed healthcare is measured by the likelihood of a positive outcome, with proposed expansion to include an extra dimension of quality to improve health outcomes.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Megan R. Haymart
Summary: The paper reviews the state of thyroid cancer in 2021, discussing the prevalence, vulnerable patient groups, and known risk factors. It also addresses the issues of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, with optimism for future efforts to improve patient care in thyroid cancer.
ENDOCRINE PRACTICE
(2021)