Preliminary results from the first Polish screening program for abdominal aortic aneurysm in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province

Background. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is called a widening of the aorta below the renal arteries with a diameter more than 3 cm. The prevalence of AAA is estimated at 4–8% in men aged 65 years or more. The mortality rate for patients with ruptured AAA is 65%, while the mortality rate for aortic aneurysm repair surgery in elective patients undergoing pre-screened is 3%. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of AAA among men aged 60 years and older undergoing targeted ultrasonography of abdominal aorta. The additional aim was to determine the relationship between specific risk factors and the AAA, and to determine the prevalence of AAA in patients subgroups specified by the criteria for the screening programmes for AAA. Material and methods. Based on available data from the literature, study populations was defined as men aged 60 years and older. Applied research methods were as follow: 1) the questionnaire; 2) measurement of physical characteristics of aorta (diameter of abdominal aorta by ultrasound scan). The questionnaire consisted of two parts: 1) identification and demographic data; 2) the presence of risk factors. Analysis of data from the questionnaire determined the relationship between the risk factors and the AAA, whereas ultrasonography of the aorta, detected the disease (abdominal aortic aneurysm) and its prevelance. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the software STATISTICA 9 (StatSoft, Inc., 2009). Results. Based on 1556 ultrasound scans, the abdominal aortic aneurysm was diagnosed in 94 men aged 60 years and older. The prevalence of AAA in the study group was 6.0%. Risk factors associated with the AAA were analyzed in two groups: I — AAA (n = 94) and II — normal aorta (n = 1464). The three risk factors were significantly associated with the AAA: age, smoking and family history, whereas the incidence of AAA in males at 65 years old was 4.0%, and a group of men between 65 and 75 years of age, smoking cigarettes ever, was 7.4%. Conclusions. In the obtained data the prevalence of AAA was similar to that of literature. Additionally, the positive relationship between age, smoking, and AAA was detected. Acta Angiol 2012; 18, 1: 9–17