Is there an association between chronic lung disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion?
Date
2003
Authors
Spencer, C.
Jamrozik, K.
Kelly, S.
Bremner, P.
Norman, P.
Editors
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Journal Title
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Type:
Journal article
Citation
ANZ Journal of Surgery, 2003; 73(10):787-789
Statement of Responsibility
Carole Spencer, Konrad Jamrozik, Shane Kelly, Peter Bremner and Paul Norman
Conference Name
Abstract
<jats:p><jats:bold>Background:</jats:bold> Although there is evidence demonstrating an association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), it is not clear whether COPD predicts greater rates of expansion of established aneurysms. We sought such an association in a cohort of men with aneurysms detected in a population‐based study of screening for aneurysms.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Methods:</jats:bold> In addition to regular aortic ultrasound scans, 179 men with AAA underwent full lung function testing in order to identify the presence of COPD and its subgroups, emphysema and other obstructive ventilatory defects (OVD). The rate of expansion of each aneurysm was calculated and the men were divided into ‘rapid expanders’ (3 mm or more per year) and ‘slow expanders’ (less than 3 mm per year). Any association with the presence of COPD or smoking was tested using a multivariate model.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Results:</jats:bold> Over a median follow‐up period of 36 months the mean rate of aortic expansion for the cohort of 179 men was 2.1 mm/year. There was no significant difference in prevalence of COPD (68% overall) or having ever been a smoker (87% overall) between the rapid expanders and the slow expanders.</jats:p><jats:p><jats:bold>Conclusions:</jats:bold> Although there was a high prevalence of COPD among men with an AAA, there was no association between the rate of expansion of AAA and the presence of any form of this disease.</jats:p>
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Provenance
Published Online: 9 Oct 2003
Description
Published in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery, 2003; 73 (10):787-789 at www.interscience.wiley.com