Epidemiological study of reptured intracranial aneurysms in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region (Quebec, Canada).
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.
Mathieu
J
J
Unité de recherche clinique, Hôpital de Chicoutimi, Québec, Canada.
Pérusse
L
L
Allard
P
P
Prévost
C
C
Cantin
L
L
Bouchard
J M
JM
DeBraekeleer
M
M
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