Abdominal aortic aneurysm disease in New Zealand: epidemiology and burden between 2002 and 2006

N Z Med J. 2012 Feb 24;125(1350):10-20.

Abstract

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture has a high mortality. Four randomised controlled trials indicate significant mortality benefit from population screening for AAA. There is a lack of information on the epidemiology and burden of AAA disease in New Zealand, necessary to support policy in this area.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a dataset consisting of all AAA deaths and all hospital discharges with a AAA diagnosis between 2002 and 2006. Analysis by age, sex, ethnicity, and operative status was performed.

Results: On average, there were 267 elective repairs and 87 emergency repairs annually between 2002 and 2006. The operative mortality rate was 35.2% for emergency repair, and 6.7% for elective repair. There were about 236 known AAA-related deaths annually. Ninety-four percent of AAA deaths between 2002-2006 occurred in individuals >65 years. The case fatality for females was higher than males across every age group. The standardised mortality rate in Maori was twice as high as New Zealand Europeans.

Conclusions: This study provides essential information to evaluate the appropriateness and feasibility of AAA screening here. A population-based prevalence study is recommended, along with further investigation of high case fatality in females and high mortality in Maori.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / epidemiology*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / mortality
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / surgery
  • Aortic Rupture / epidemiology
  • Aortic Rupture / mortality
  • Aortic Rupture / surgery
  • Cost of Illness*
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / mortality
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New Zealand / epidemiology
  • Patient Discharge / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / mortality
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / statistics & numerical data