Screening men aged over 65 for abdominal aortic aneurysms could save lives -- Mayor 334 (7603): 1077 -- BMJ

Screening men aged over 65 for abdominal aortic aneurysms could save lives -- Mayor 334 (7603): 1077 -- BMJ: "Screening men aged over 65 for abdominal aortic aneurysms could save lives
Susan Mayor
London
Ultrasound screening of men aged 65 to 79 for abdominal aortic aneurysms significantly reduces the number of men who die from the condition, a systematic review has concluded.
The review of trials that evaluated screening says that between 5% and 10% of men in this age group have abdominal aortic aneurysms of which they are unaware (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007;(2):CD002945).
Rupture of these aneurysms carries a very high risk of death. Screening by abdominal ultrasonography can detect these aneurysms, many of which can be treated with surgery.
In its review the Cochrane peripheral vascular diseases group searched its trials register for randomised controlled trials of population screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms. They found four studies, conducted in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Australia and involving 127 891 men and 9342 women. (Only one of the studies included women.) /.../"