Socioeconomic status and the use of computed tomography in the emergency department

Background: Low socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with adverse health outcomes. Possible explanations include differences in health status, access to health care, and care provided by clinicians. We sought to determine whether SES is associated with computed tomography (CT) use in the emergency department (ED). Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all Ontario ED patients (April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010) using adminis-trative databases was conducted, and patients were stratified into SES quintiles based on median neighbourhood income. Using multivariate logistical regression, CT scan use within SES quintiles was compared for all patients and subgroups based on chief complaints: headache, abdominal pain, and complex abdominal pain (age $ 65 years, high acuity, an