(June 25, 2009 - Insidermedicine) Two new studies have provided widely varying estimates of the cost effectiveness of screening older men for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Both studies are published in the British Medical Journal.

Here is some information about abdominal aortic aneurysm:

•    It is a weakening or bulging in the aorta, the main blood vessel that feeds the body.

•    The weakened area can burst, causing life-threatening bleeding

•    If the aneurysm is discovered before it bursts, it can be repaired surgically

In one study, researchers from the Medical Research Council in Cambridge studied nearly 70,000 men aged 65-74 who were invited to be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm using ultrasound or not. After 10 years, those who were invited for screening had a 50% lower chance of dying from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. The estimated cost of screening per life year gained after ten years was just £7,600.

In a second study, from Aarhus University, researchers used data from published studies and from the Danish Vascular Registry and created complex models to determine the value of screening. Based on these calculations, screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm would actually cost £43,485 per quality-adjusted life year.

Today's research suggests that before implementing an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening program it is important to weigh the costs and outcomes.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Kelly Schweitzer.