Abstract
The prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is around 2–3% in the general population. We hypothesized that the prevalence of small UIAs is higher among 50 to 60-year-old female smokers, since the incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is exceptionally high in 60 to 70-year-old female smokers. Ethics approval for this pilot study of 50 women was obtained from the hospital ethics committee. In order to minimize recruitment bias, preliminary invitation letters were sent to 50 to 60-year-old women who were known to be active smokers. Those interested in participating were further informed about the study rationale and protocol. Following written consent, participants filled a detailed questionnaire and underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) analysis. All abnormalities were recorded. Of the 158 preliminary invitation letters, 70 potential participants initially replied. Of these, 50 returned questionnaires and written consents, 43 of which underwent CTA analysis. Most (39; 91%) were postmenopausal, and 9 (21%) were hypertensive. Two reported a family history (≥ 1 first-degree members) of intracranial aneurysms. UIAs (maximum sizes of 2, 2, 3, 3 and 7 mm) were found in five (12%) female smokers. One woman was operated on, and the remaining four were treated with non-invasive preventive actions (smoking cessation and follow-ups). Small UIAs, which may be best suited for non-invasive preventive actions, may be relatively common in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers. Whether this kind of targeted screening leads to improved health in female smokers requires further investigation.
Highlights
The prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is around 2–3% in the general population
The results of this study indicated that UIAs were diagnosed in 35 of the 2000 (1.8%) study subjects[1]
According to the guideline published in 2015 for healthcare professionals, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association deems UIA screening appropriate in families with two or more affected persons with IAs4
Summary
The prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) is around 2–3% in the general population. In order to minimize recruitment bias, preliminary invitation letters were sent to 50 to 60-year-old women who were known to be active smokers Those interested in participating were further informed about the study rationale and protocol. Small UIAs, which may be best suited for non-invasive preventive actions, may be relatively common in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers. Whether this kind of targeted screening leads to improved health in female smokers requires further investigation. The number of major complications related to invasive treatments of screen positives could be minimized Based on these assumptions, we screened UIAs in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers using computed tomography angiography (CTA)
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