Prevalence of aortic aneurysms at abdominal ultrasound

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as an increase in the diameter of the abdominal aorta in excess of 3cm. Hypertension and advanced age are some of the risk factors associated with development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Screening for AAA among predisposed individuals by the use of abdominal ultrasonography is done in many centres especially in the western world. Early diagnosis of AAA is necessary for early surgical intervention which prevents complications including rupture and death. For a screening program to be cost effective, AAA should be of a significant prevalence. There was no data depicting the prevalence of AAA in susceptible populations in Uganda. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of AAA among patients fifty years and over attending the hypertension clinic in Mulago hospital, Kampala, Uganda. It was hoped that with a significant prevalence of AAA in the study population, a screening program could be initiated for susceptible patients.