Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm: does it affect men’s quality of life?
M. Lesjak A , F. Boreland B F , D. Lyle C , J. Sidford C , S. Flecknoe-Brown D and J. Fletcher E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Population Health, PO Box 457, Broken Hill, NSW 2880, Australia.
B Centre for Remote Health Research, Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, PO Box 457, Broken Hill, NSW 2880, Australia.
C Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, PO Box 457, Broken Hill, NSW 2880, Australia.
D Far West Health District, NSW Health, PO Box 457, Broken Hill, NSW 2880, Australia.
E Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Suite 2, Westmead Private Hospital, Cnr Darcy and Mons Roads, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: fboreland@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 18(4) 284-288 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY11131
Submitted: 18 October 2011 Accepted: 26 October 2011 Published: 18 January 2012
Abstract
A prospective study investigated the psychological wellbeing and quality of life of older rural men after a community-based screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Five hundred and sixteen men aged 65–74 years attended the screening program; 53 had an abnormal aorta detected. These and a subsample of men with a normal aorta were followed up 6 months post-screening. All men completed a pre-screening questionnaire including the Medical Outcomes Short Form 36v 2 (MOSF36) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Six months after screening all 53 men with an abnormal and 130 with a normal aorta were sent a questionnaire including MOSF36 and HADS. Baseline and 6 month scores for both MOSF36 and HADS scores were compared between the two groups and within each group. Baseline scores for both MOSF36 and HADS were not significantly different between men who were subsequently diagnosed with an abnormal aorta and those with a normal aorta. After 6 months there was no difference in HADS scores but a significant increase in the MOSF36 dimension of general health. Those with a normal aorta reported better general health, social functioning andgreater freedom from bodily pain. AAA screening appears highly acceptable to men in the target age group and future research should focus on implementation, cost effectiveness and collateral benefits of AAA screening.
Additional keywords: evaluation, models of service, population health, primary health, rural.
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