OBJECTIVES: To assess the costs and health-related outcomes of double versus single reading of digital mammograms in a @entity0 screening programme. METHODS: Based on data from 57,157 digital screening mammograms from @entity1 aged 50-69 years, we compared costs, false-positive results, positive predictive value and @entity5 detection rate using four reading strategies: double reading with and without consensus and arbitration, and single reading with first reader only and second reader only. Four highly trained radiologists read the mammograms. RESULTS: Double reading with consensus and arbitration was 15  % ( @entity7634 334,341) more expensive than single reading with first reader only. False-positive results were more frequent at double reading with consensus and arbitration than at single reading with first reader only (4.5  % and 4.2  %, respectively; p   <   0.001). The positive predictive value (9.3  % and 9.1  %; p   =   0.812) and @entity5 detection rate were similar for both reading strategies (4.6 and 4.2 per 1000 screens; p   =   0.283). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that changing to single reading of mammograms could produce savings in @entity0 screening. Single reading could reduce the frequency of false-positive results without changing the @entity5 detection rate. These results are not conclusive and cannot be generalized to other contexts with less trained radiologists. KEY POINTS:     Double reading of digital mammograms is more expensive than single reading.     Compared to single reading, double reading yields a higher proportion of false-positive results.     The @entity5 detection rate was similar for double and single readings.     Single reading may be a cost-effective strategy in @entity0 screening programmes.

Double versus single reading of mammograms in a XXXX screening programme: a cost-consequence analysis.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['cancer'] @entity0 :: ('MESH:D001943', 'Disease') :: ['breast cancer'] @entity7634 :: ('9319', 'Species') :: ['Euro']
@entity0 :: (MESH:D001943,Disease) :: ['breast cancer']
