Rate of guideline-concordant care was 59.7 percent overall and increased with increasing Lung-RADS score in adults 65 years or older<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n
THURSDAY, Dec. 18, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Among persons with a first positive lung cancer screening result at age 65 years or older, the rate of guideline-concordant care is 59.7 percent overall, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Paul F. Pinsky, Ph.D., from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues examined the use of diagnostic tests after positive results on lung cancer screening in a retrospective cohort study involving 64,555 persons with a first positive screening result on low-dose computed tomography at age 65 years or older with Medicare fee-for-service coverage.<\/p>\n The researchers found that the rate of guideline-concordant care was 59.7 percent overall and increased as Lung-RADS score increased: 49.2, 68.6, 74.1, and 79.5 percent for scores of 3, 4A, 4B, and 4X, respectively. In 32.3 percent of participants, care was less intensive than recommended, generally decreasing with Lung-RADS score: 39.3, 24.7, 25.9, and 20.5 percent for scores of 3, 4A, 4B, and 4X, respectively. The rates of more intensive care were 11.5 and 6.7 percent for scores of 3 and 4A, respectively. Non-Hispanic Black persons, those who currently smoked, and those undergoing baseline screening had significantly higher rates of less intensive care among participants with Lung-RADS scores of 3 and 4A. Overall, 12.4 percent of participants had a lung cancer diagnosis within one year. In 16.2 percent of all participants and 7.3 percent of those without eventual lung cancer, invasive procedures were done.<\/p>\n “These findings can inform areas where research and quality improvement endeavors could substantially improve lung cancer screening outcomes,” the authors write.<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n