Clinical Features, CT Imaging Decisions and Yield by Age in Adults With Abdominal Pain in the Emergency Department

The study aimed to evaluate how age influences clinical features, CT imaging decisions, and diagnostic yield in adults presenting with abdominal pain in the emergency department. The findings revealed that CT utilization and diagnostic yield increased with age, while key physical exam findings, such as abdominal tenderness, were less sensitive in older adults. This suggests a need for age-aware imaging strategies and highlights the importance of recognizing abdominal pain as a geriatric-specific concern.