Management of Diabetes Mellitus Before F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT: A Nationwide Patient-Centered Assessment of Approaches to Examination Preparation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to perform, from the patient's point of view, a nationwide assessment of nuclear medicine practices regarding diabetic management before F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT for oncologic indications.

Methods: This prospective observational study was exempt from institutional review board oversight. Sixty-five nuclear medicine scheduling lines (33 academic, 32 private practice, 12-17 in each of the five US regions) were called using a prewritten script under the guise of a nonexpert patient's family member about scheduling a patient with diabetes with "cancer" for FDG PET/CT. Each center was called three times on three different days. The following data were collected: (1) blood glucose threshold for rescheduling an examination, (2) when or if to stop various medications, (3) fasting requirements, and (4) time-of-day scheduling preferences. Withheld information was not specifically requested. Descriptive statistics were calculated.

Results: There were 195 phone calls (mean duration, 2.9 min; range, 2-6 min). Relevant information was often withheld; withholding rates were as follows: blood glucose threshold, 71% (138 of 195); short-acting insulin instructions, 30% (59 of 195); long-acting insulin instructions, 99% (193 of 195); metformin instructions, 88% (179 of 195); fasting duration, 37% (72 of 195); and time-of-day scheduling preference, 91% (177 of 195). Mean provided data were as follows: blood glucose threshold, 195 mg/dL (range, 150-210 mg/dL); short-acting insulin withholding, 4.9 hours (range, 4-8 hours); long-acting insulin withholding, 12 hours (range, 12-24 hours); fasting duration, 5 hours (range, 4-8 hours); and preferred examination time, 91% (177 of 195). When specified (n = 18), morning scheduling was preferred (8% [15 of 195] versus 2% [3 of 195]).

Conclusions: Diabetes-specific information is commonly withheld by nuclear medicine call centers throughout the United States when discussing oncologic FDG PET/CT despite local and national policies indicating its importance.