Screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers: a pilot study
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...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02963-z |
| _version_ | 1818458968593268736 |
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| author | Justiina Huhtakangas Jussi Numminen Johanna Pekkola Mika Niemelä Miikka Korja |
| author_facet | Justiina Huhtakangas Jussi Numminen Johanna Pekkola Mika Niemelä Miikka Korja |
| author_sort | Justiina Huhtakangas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T23:06:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7e3db8cf00444b1a95898bd9fb0e748e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T23:06:53Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-7e3db8cf00444b1a95898bd9fb0e748e2022-12-21T22:44:17ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-12-011111910.1038/s41598-021-02963-zScreening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers: a pilot studyJustiina Huhtakangas0Jussi Numminen1Johanna Pekkola2Mika Niemelä3Miikka Korja4Department of Neurosurgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalDepartment of Radiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalDepartment of Radiology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02963-z |
| spellingShingle | Justiina Huhtakangas Jussi Numminen Johanna Pekkola Mika Niemelä Miikka Korja Screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers: a pilot study Scientific Reports |
| title | Screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers: a pilot study |
| title_full | Screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers: a pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers: a pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers: a pilot study |
| title_short | Screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60-year-old female smokers: a pilot study |
| title_sort | screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in 50 to 60 year old female smokers a pilot study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02963-z |
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