title: Epidemiological study of reptured intracranial aneurysms in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region (Quebec, Canada).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Using a population-based register of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region (Quebec, Canada), the genealogical reconstruction of 533 individuals with intracranial aneurysm (IA) showed a familial aggregation (the presence of aneurysm in two or more first- to third-degree relatives) for 159 (29.8%) of them; this proportion is much higher than reported elsewhere.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  As part of an ongoing project to assess a genetic predisposition to intracranial aneurysms in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean population, the objective of the present study was to determine whether age-specific rates of reputed cerebral aneurysms were higher than in other populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of cases of proven ruptured IAs which were hospitalized during the 1973 to 1992 period was conducted. Age-adjusted rates were computed and compared to those reported in the Helsinki population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 412 cases of ruptured aneurysms. The age-adjusted incidence rate was 7.2/100,000/year (6.2 for men, 8.1 for women), which is similar to the incidence rates reported in other studies. Although the mean age at time of rupture was younger (46.6 years +/- 13.8) than usually reported, no increase in age-specific incidence rates was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this epidemiological study neither support nor reject the hypothesis of a genetic predisposition to intracranial aneurysms in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean population.
authors.affiliation: Unité de recherche clinique, Hôpital de Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pérusse
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prévost
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cantin
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bouchard
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DeBraekeleer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors