Risks associated with the use of intravascular contrast media: analysis of patients' awareness at Kenyatta National Hospital
Abstract
A number of papers have been published on continuing research on
the development of contrast media and their associated adverse
reactions in diagnostic radiology. Publications available and
studies done regarding the basic knowledge of patients on the risks
associated with the use of intravascular contrast media are very
few and limited.
In this cross-sectional descriptive study done over a period of
nine months, a brief review of the adverse reactions associated
wi th the use of contrast media in radiology is done, and two
hundred (200) patients referred for radiological examinations
requiring the administration of intravascular contrast media
interviewed and ana lysed to assess their awareness (basic
knowledge) regarding the risks associated with the use of
intravascular contrast media.
It was found that there was no significant sex or age group
prepondrance on the overall performance p(values) 0.4188 and 0.1317
respecti vely. Patients who had a higher level of education and
those who had a history of previous exposure to contrast media
performed slightly better p(values) 0.0499 and 0.0456 respectively.
It was crucial to find that although a significant
number/proportion of patients (76%) had acquired some information
about the type of examination they were referred for; their overall
average performance on the questions regarding their awareness on
the risks associated with the use of intravascular contrast media
was 44.9% which is slightly less than 50% implying that information
about the risks associated with the use of contrast media can not
be considered a common knowledge amongst the general population.
Multidisciplinary efforts are therefore called upon to increase the
patient's awareness in view to alleviating not only their choice on
the type of contrast media particularly those at increased risk but
occassionally safeguard both parties in case of any eventuality.
Citation
Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology University of Nairobi, 1997Publisher
University of Nairobi, School of Medicine