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Table 1 Patient and nodule characteristics in the periods Before (2002–2003) and After (2004–2005) the availability of Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

From: Does the availability of positron emission tomography modify diagnostic strategies for solitary pulmonary nodules? An observational study in France

Variable

Before-PET period

After-PET period

p

 

Mean [SD]

n (%)

Mean [SD]

n (%)

 

Patient characteristics:

     

Age

64.9 [14.1]

112

64.8 [14.3]

250

0.9

Age (in classes)

     

   < 65 years

 

52 (46.4)

 

124 (49.6)

0.6

   ≥ 65 years

 

60 (53.6)

 

126 (50.4)

 

Sex

     

   Male

 

82 (73.2)

 

158 (63.2)

0.06

   Female

 

30 (26.8)

 

92 (36.8)

 

Referal

     

   General practitioner

 

18 (16.1)

 

28 (11.2)

0.2

   Specialist

 

94 (83.9)

 

222 (88.8)

 

Smoking history

     

   Nonsmoker

 

33 (29.5)

 

104 (41.6)

0.03

   Smokers or ex-smokers

 

79 (70.5)

 

146 (58.4)

 

Nodule characteristics:

     

Calcified Nodules

     

   Yes

 

12 (10.7)

 

45 (18.0)

0.08

   No

 

100 (89.3)

 

205 (82.0)

 

Spiculated Nodules

     

   Yes

 

32 (28.6)

 

49 (19.6)

0.06

   No

 

80 (71.4)

 

201 (80.4)

 

Mediastinal node

     

   Yes

 

31 (27.7)

 

75 (30.0)

0.7

   No

 

81 (72.3)

 

175 (70.0)

 
  1. SD = standard deviation