A large-scale U.S. screening program for abdominal aortic aneurysm found 25 percent of participants were at risk and 5 percent actually had aneurysms, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology. The data come from the four-year Legs For LifeR National Screening Program for Vascular Disease.

Of the aneurysms detected, 5.3 percent were larger than 5 cm, considered high risk for rupture and likely to require treatment. Another 22.5 percent were larger than 3.5 cm, and, although not likely to be at immediate risk for rupture, these aneurysms should be watched.

In a post-evaluation survey of people screened through the program, 11 percent had a medical procedure or saw their doctor based on their screening result. At least 60 percent of those surveyed said they were more likely to recognize risk factors associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm than before their screening test.

Since 2000, nearly 46,000 people have been screened as part of the annual Legs For Life screening program. "Data have shown a significant amount of undiagnosed or under-diagnosed vascular disease in people greater than 50 years of age. The public health impact of the Legs For Life program is immeasurable," said Katharine Krol, MD, presenter.

In the U.S., abdominal aortic aneurysms account for more than 15,000 deaths annually; they affect an estimated 5 to 7 percent of people 60 years or older. It is the 17th leading cause of death in the United States. Diagnosis before rupture is key to prognosis: 80 to 90 percent of all ruptured aneurysms result in death.