This study examined the long-term impact of whole-body MRI and the disclosure of incidental findings on quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms in a general population cohort. Analyses were conducted among 4420 participants of the Study of Health in Pomerania SHIP-Trend cohort, of which 2188 received a whole-body MRI examination. A 2.5-year postal follow-up of SHIP-Trend (response: 86%) included the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), based on which the Mental Health Component Summary Score (MCS), and Physical Health Component Summary Score (PCS) were computed. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was applied to assess depressive symptoms. Generalized estimation equation models were used to assess intervention effects, and statistical weights were applied to account for selective attrition. MRI participants had higher levels of education and employment than nonparticipants. Mean QoL indicators differed little at baseline between MRI participants and nonparticipants. Intervention effects per year on depression and QoL were negligible in (1) MRI participants versus nonparticipants [PCS: unstandardized β = -0.06 (95% CI -0.30 to 0.18);
Mcs: β = -0.01 (95% CI -0.29 to 0.29); PHQ-9: 0.08 (-0.03 to 0.18)], and (2) MRI participants with a disclosed incidental finding versus those without [PCS: β = -0.03 (-0.39 to 0.33);
Mcs: β = -0.26 (95% CI -0.65 to 0.13); PHQ-9: 0.03 (-0.10 to 0.15)]. The body site of the finding had only minor effects on the course of our studied outcomes. Whole-body MRI can be implemented in a population-based study without long-term effects on QoL indicators and depressive symptoms. This does not exclude the possibility of effects on more subtle psychosocial outcomes, such as health concerns or health behaviour, all of which require further attention.
Keywords: Depression; General health screening; General population; Incidental findings; Magnetic resonance imaging; Quality of life.