Project PROMIS: Peoria Regional Outpatient Medical Imaging Study.
BACKGROUND
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) accounts for > 15,000 reported deaths annually. Early screening in high-risk populations is important to decrease morbidity and mortality from rupture.


METHODS
A prospective, population-based study of free ultrasound-based AAA screening was conducted from July 2004 to December 2006. Before examination, subjects completed surveys asking their medical history, including known AAA risk factors. Incidence rates and comparison analyses were performed.


RESULTS
The final analysis included 979 patients, of whom AAA was discovered in 27 (2.8%). AAA was found in only male patients > 60 years old (4% of the male population). AAA size ranged from 3 to 10 cm. Of patients diagnosed with AAA, 85% were current or past smokers, and 70% had hypercholesterolemia. There was a 6% incidence of AAA in male smokers > or = 60 years old who had hypercholesterolemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Four factors were predominant in our population of patients with AAA: patient age, male sex, smoking history, and hypercholesterolemia.
Dynda
Danuta I
DI
Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, Peoria, IL 61603, USA. dynda_di@yahoo.com
Andrews
Julie A
JA
Chiou
Andy C
AC
DeBord
James R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography