Between 5% and 10% of men aged 65 to 79 are unaware they have abdominal aortic aneurysms, yet stand a very high risk of dying if their weakened arteries burst. Cochrane researchers reviewed trials, involving a total of 127,891 men and 9,342 women, which showed that men in this age group could benefit from ultrasound screening.
Dr Paul Cosford (director of public health at the East of England Strategic Health Authority) explained that a small number of people may die or suffer ill health as a result of elective aneurysm repair, who would otherwise consider themselves healthy. Others may discover small aneurysms and worry about them unnecessarily.
“Resource analysis indicates that screening may be cost effective in relatively developed countries, but this needs further expert analysis, given the lack of information on life expectancy, complications of surgery or quality of life,” Cosford said.
There was insufficient data on women (whose risk of death from ruptured aortic aneurysm is much lower than the risk in men).
