title: [Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms has a positive clinical effect].
abstract: In Denmark 2-3% of men aged 65 years or more die from abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). The lethality of ruptured AAA is 75%, while the risk of preventive surgery is 2-3%. Ultrasonographic screening for AAA is fast, safe and reliable. Randomized trials show that screening halves the mortality from AAA, and reduces total mortality by 2%. The latest health economic study concludes that it is highly cost-effective to screen 65-year-old Danish men, as a quality-adjusted life year can be gained for about 5,100 DKK (555 GBP). This is less than one tenth of the recently approved Danish colorectal cancer-screening programme.
authors.affiliation: Hjerte-, Lunge- og Karkirurgisk Afdeling T, Odense Universitetshospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C. jes.s.lindholt@viborg.rm.dk
authors.forename: Jes S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lindholt
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Rikke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Søgaard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D014463:Ultrasonography