Author/Authors :
Radmard, Amir Reza Department of Radiology - Shariati Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Gholamrezanezhad, Ali Keck School of Medicine - University of Southern California - Los Angeles - CA - USA , Montazeri, Ali Department of Radiology - Mayo Clinic - Florida - USA , Kasaeian, Amir Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology - Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center - Shariati Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Nematollahy, Nemat Department of Radiology - 5 Azar Hospital - Golestan University of Medical Sciences - Gorgan - Iran , Molaee Langrudi, Roghieh Diagnostic Radiology Department, Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran , Javad Rashid, Reza Department of Radiology - Imam Reza hospital - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences - Tabriz - Iran , Dehghan, Alireza Department of Radiology - Namazi Hospital - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences - Shiraz - Iran , Hekmatnia, Ali Radiology Department - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences - Isfahan - Iran , Shakourirad, Ali Department of Radiology - Sina Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Pezeshki Rad, Masoud Department of Radiology - Imam Reza Hospital - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences - Mashhad - Iran , Nafisi Moghadam, Reza Department of Radiology - Shahid Sadoughi Hospital - Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences - Yazd - Iran , Sharifian, Hashem Department of Radiology - Amir A’lam Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Enhesari, Ahmad Radiology Department - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences - Isfahan - Iran , Aalinezhad, Marzieh Radiology Department - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences - Isfahan - Iran , Jamalipour Soufi, Ghazaleh Radiology Department - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences - Isfahan - Iran , Shakibafard, Alireza TABA Medical Imaging Center - Shiraz - Iran , Mohammadzadeh, Maryam Department of Radiology - Amir A’lam Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Jalli, Reza Department of Radiology - Namazi Hospital - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences - Shiraz - Iran , Bakhshayeshkaram, Mehrdad Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Faghihi Langroudi, Taraneh Department of Radiology - Shahid Modarres Hospital - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Raoufi, Masoomeh Department of Radiology - Imam Hossein Hospital - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Abrishami, Alireza Department of Radiology - Shahid Labbafinejad Hospital - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Dehghan, Pooneh Department of Radiology - Taleghani Hospital - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Bahrami-Motlagh, Hooman Department of Radiology - Loghman Hakim Hospital - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Hashemi, Hassan Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR) - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran , Sanei Taheri, Morteza Department of Radiology - Shohada-E-Tajrish Hospital - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran - Iran
Abstract :
Background: Chest computed tomography (CT) scan has been used widely to diagnose COVID-19 in Iran.
Objectives: To trace the footsteps of COVID-19 in Iran by exploring the trend in using chest CT scans and its economic impact on radiology departments. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the number of imaging examinations from 33 tertiary radiology departments in 9 large cities of Iran was collected from September 23, 2019 to March 20, 2020 (Months 1 to 6) and the corresponding months in 2018–2019.
Results: A 50.2% increase was noted in the chest CT scan utilization in 2019–2020 compared to 2018–2019. This increase was +15%, +15%, +27%, +2%, +1% in Months 1–5 of 2019–2020, respectively. In Month 6 of 2019–2020, a 251% increase in the acquisition of chest CT scans was observed compared to the Month 6 of 2018–2019. Following negative balance of revenue from Month 1 to 5 with respect to the inflation rate, the total income in Month 6 was further 1.5% less than the same Month in 2018–19.
Conclusion: The observed peak in chest CT utilization in Month 3 prior to the surge in Month 6 could be explained by the seasonal influenza. However, unawareness about an emerging viral disease, i.e. COVID-19, might have underutilized chest CT in Months 4 and 5 before the official announcement in Month 6. The unbalanced increase in the workload of radiology departments in the shortage of cardiothoracic radiologists with the simultaneous decrease in income initiated a vicious cycle that worsened the economic repercussions of the pandemic.
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