Quantitative appraisal of the Amyloid Imaging Taskforce appropriate use criteria for amyloid-PET

Abstract

Introduction: We test the hypothesis that amyloid-positron emission tomography prescriptions, considered appropriate based on the Amyloid Imaging Taskforce (AIT) criteria, lead to greater clinical utility than AIT-inappropriate prescriptions.

Methods: We compared the clinical utility between patients who underwent amyloid-positron emission tomography appropriately or inappropriately and among the subgroups of patients defined by the AIT criteria. Finally, we performed logistic regressions to identify variables associated with clinical utility.

Results: We identified 171 AIT-appropriate and 67 AIT-inappropriate patients. AIT-appropriate and AIT-inappropriate cases did not differ in any outcomes of clinical utility (P > .05). Subgroup analysis denoted both expected and unexpected results. The logistic regressions outlined the primary role of clinical picture and clinical or neuropsychological profile in identifying patients benefitting from amyloid-positron emission tomography.

Discussion: Contrary to our hypothesis, also AIT-inappropriate prescriptions were associated with clinical utility. Clinical or neuropsychological variables, not taken into account by the AIT criteria, may help further refine criteria for appropriateness.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Amyloid PET; Appropriate use criteria.