ABSTRACT.Purpose: To assess the validity of the suggested association between intraocular exfoliation syndrome and aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. Methods: A total of 77 patients recently operated for abdominal aortic aneurysm underwent biomicroscopy under pupillary dilatation to detect the presence of manifest and suspect deposits of exfoliation material. Results: The mean age of the 71 (92%) male and six female subjects was 73 years (range: 59-88 years). Manifest exfoliation was detected in 11 patients (14%; 95% CI 7-24), five of whom were aged 60-69 years and six of whom were aged 70-79 years. In addition, four patients (5%; 95% CI 1-13) had suspect exfoliation. Conclusions: The prevalence of exfoliation syndrome in patients operated for abdominal aortic aneurysm was similar to that in the general population of the same age in Finland. This finding does not support the proposed connection between exfoliation syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Aging brothers of patients with known abdominal aortic aneurysm have the highest risk for developing the disease; the prevalence of the disease in siblings older than 60 years of age is 18%.
Males seemed to benefit from targeted AAA screening, and the results were stable. As far as the cost-effectiveness ratio is considered acceptable, screening for males seemed to be justified. However, our assumptions about growth and rupture behavior of AAAs might be improved with further clinical and epidemiological studies. As a point estimate, females benefited in a similar manner, but the results were not statistically significant. The evidence of this study did not justify screening of females.
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