Frequency of abdominal aortic aneurysm in persons who have been examined with ultrasound at Kasr Al-Ainy Hospitals: a single center pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: To know frequency of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) using ultrasound and clarify associated risk factors in 1000 Egyptians. Material and methods: Prospective study. 1000 patients aged 50 years or more (mean: 57.97 ± [7.68]) were examined by B-mode ultrasound at our radiology department to measure suprarenal maximum diameter of the abdominal aorta (wall to wall measurement) and to identify the occurrence of AAA (aneurysms were defined as 1.5 times the mean diameter). Demographic data and risk factors were also noted. Results: Mean aortic diameter in study population was 18.9 ± (3.2) mm. AAA diameter was 28.3 mm. Frequency of AAA was 1.5%. AAA prevalence: 2.35% in males versus 0.75% in females. Prevalence of AAA in different age groups: < 60 years (n = 653), 60-70 (n = 282), > 70 years (n = 65) was 6 (0.9%), 6 (2.1%), 3 (4.6%) respectively. Patients with AAA were older (P < 0.001), more often male (P < 0.001), smokers (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Study showed that mean aortic diameter was 18.9 mm and AAA is present in 1.5% of the study population which was less than that seen in previously conducted studies in other countries.

Abdominal Aortic Screening Is a Priority for Health in Smoker Males: A Study on Central Italian Population

“…Smoke use is an important risk factor determining an OR = 5.21. A similar result was found by Ahmed et al [ 13 ]. The mechanisms by which smoking predisposes to a greater tendency to aneurysm are not fully clarified.…”

“…In the last decade in some European countries [ 18 ], but also in other countries [ 13 ], abdominal aortic screening (AAS) is emerging as a potential prevention campaign; although, most of the initiatives are local and spontaneous. On the other hand, in the UK, AAS is structured as a population-based screening [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…In fact, the AAA prevalence is four times higher in smokers than in non-smokers [ 12 ]. Ahmed et al reported that patients with AAA were often smoker males [ 13 ]. Regarding cardiovascular diseases, smoking was found to be the major risk factor associated with AAA [ 14 ].…”

Prevalence and epidemiological pattern of abdominal aortic aneurysms in Africa: A systematic review

“…Three cross-sectional studies scored 7/10 and above. [ 28 29 30 ] Three studies scored 6/10[ 31 32 33 ] and one scored 4/10. [ 34 ] Of the retrospective case series, three studies scored 5/5,[ 13 16 35 ] three of them scored 4/5,[ 36 37 38 ] and two scored 3/5.…”

“…Seven studies reported on the prevalence of AAA. [ 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 ] A total of 4012 participants were screened and of these, 129 were found to have AAA. Of the seven studies, four were from North Africa, a predominantly Arab population, and the remaining three from Sub-Saharan Africa, composed predominantly of the black African population.…”