Does More Diagnostic Testing Lower Patient Anxiety?

Patients with a range of vague symptoms and low pretest probability of serious disease often present to primary care clinicians. Such patients often request, and physicians often order, diagnostic tests to manage patient anxiety about the presence of serious disease.

In a meta-analysis, researchers identified 14 randomized controlled trials (4000 patients) in which investigators evaluated anxiety reduction associated with diagnostic testing in low-probability disease situations. In 3 trials, specific use of various tests and imaging in pain conditions was evaluated; no effect on short-term or long-term concern was reported. In 2 studies, generalized anxiety associated with testing in patients with back pain or palpitations was monitored; no …