Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a hypertensive population.
Two studies were undertaken to estimate the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a hypertensive population. The initial study screened hypertensive people from three local general practices. In this study 918 patients underwent ultrasound scanning of the abdominal aorta (498 men and 420 women). A total of 24 abdominal aortic aneurysms were identified; 20 in men (4%) and four in women (0.9%). Of these, 11 were > 4 cm in transverse diameter. Following this study, only hypertensive men over the age of 60 years and women over the age of 65 years were screened from a total of 29 general practices. Regular scanning sessions were held at each practice and 1328 patients attended (744 men and 584 women). A total of 43 abdominal aortic aneurysms were detected; 39 in men (5.2%) and four in women (0.7%). Hypertensive men are at increased risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysms and should be offered an initial ultrasound scan at 60 years of age. Female hypertensives yield a much lower detection rate and screening hypertensive females would probably be an inappropriate use of available resources.
Williams
I M
IM
Department of Surgery, East Glamorgan General Hospital.
Hughes
O D
OD
Townsend
E
E
Winter
R K
RK
Lewis
M H
MH
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology