[Incidence of aortic aneurysms in Piedmont]

A retrospective clinico-epidemiological study of the incidence of all arteriopathy hospitalization in the Region of Piemonte over a twelve year period (1976-1987) has been performed: among all the cases, patients affected by aortic aneurysm show an average of hospitalization of 0.8 cases per 24 hours. The prevalence of the sex has been pointed out for males (75.5% versus 24.3% of females): the men showed a higher rate independently from the age. The most involved age groups are for population between 70 and 74 years, but, from 1976 up to 1987 we have observed a more homogeneous distribution than in the first considered cases when it was mainly for patients aged more than 70 years. We have to stress a curious and not under standable datum regarding the kind of therapy: patients were treated medically in 69.4% of cases, while surgery was carried out only in 27.9%, but, fortunately, since 1976, we have noticed a continuous increase of surgery up to 40% in 1987. Hospitalizations have regarded the wards of Internal medicine in 24% of cases, while both General Surgery and Vascular Surgery showed rates of 23% and 25%. The average hospitalization time has been lower if compared to that of all the arteriopathies: 14.4 days versus 22.5. Furthermore we have to point out a decrease in average days of hospitalization for aneurysms of the aorta and a decrease in the costs for this pathology. Mortality is still high, also if referred to the non-operated patients: in fact the mean is 25.5% with a low rate of necropsies (mean 29%).