Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: A pilot study in Turkey.

BACKGROUND

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in Turkish men aged 60 years and older and the factors associated with AAA.

METHODS

Through sixty-two family health centers located in the Kecioren district of Ankara, 239 male volunteers of the target age were recruited for this pilot study. The volunteers were scanned using B-mode ultrasonography. An aorta of 3 cm or larger in outer to outer diameter was accepted as having AAA. The participants were screened for age, height, weight, known diseases and risk factors.

RESULTS

AAA was detected in 11 volunteers (4.6%). A history of smoking increased the risk of AAA (Odds ratio: 12.75; CI 95%, 1.2-134.3). The presence of an aneurysm with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) was statistically significant when compared to volunteers without a history of MI (p=0.007). Similarly, volunteers with a history of coronary angiography had a greater risk of an aneurysm than volunteers without (9.5% and 1.9%, respectively). Also, there was a negative correlation between diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, and aortic diameters.

CONCLUSION

Although AAA has high mortality rates when ruptured, it is a preventable disease. Therefore, it is necessary to know the prevalence of AAA in Turkey. Our findings were compatible with the literature. However, our study was performed as a pilot study, and there is a need for larger studies in our country.