THE INCIDENCE OF ILIAC, FEMORAL, AND POPLITEAL ARTERY ANEURYSMS IN HOSPITALIZED-PATIENTS

Purpose: Previous studies have attempted to determine the incidence and mortality rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms in a variety of populations; however, the incidence of iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysms have not been established. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of lower extremity aneurysms in hospitalized patients in the state of Utah, which has a population at low risk for cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and smoking, and to compare the results with the incidence in the United States. Methods: Incidences of iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysm in Utah were determined over a S-year period, with data obtained via diagnostic codes from the Utah Hospital Association. The incidence of iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysms in the United States hospital population was calculated by use of National Hospital Discharge Summary 1990 data, a complex sample of nonfederal short-stay hospitals in the United States, which provides the most comprehensive database of health statistics in the United States. Results: The incidence of iliac femoral/popliteal artery aneurysms in hospitalized Utah men is 3.76 and 4.85 per 100,000 population, respectively. In American men, iliac and femotal/popliteal artery aneurysm incidences are 6.58 and 7.39 per 100,000 population, respectively. Incidences among hospitalized women in Utah are 0.24 and 1.07 per 100,000; incidences in women in the United States are 0.26 and 1.00 per 100,000, respectively. The incidence of nonaortic peripheral aneurysms among hospitalized patients in Utah is lower than in the United States. The rate ratios (Utah/United States) for incidences of iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysms in men are 0.57 and 0.66, respectively (p < 0.05). No statistical difference is seen between incidences in women in Utah and the United States (p > 0.05) -ratios of 0.93 and 1.06, respectively. Conclusion: This study validates the traditional belief that iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysms are much less frequent, at least in hospitalized patients, than previously published incidences of abdominal aortic aneurysms.