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.