[Chronic low back pain and abdominal aortic aneurysm]

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Pain Management
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) affects 2-5% of the population.
• Ruptured AAA has an 80% mortality rate.
• Low back pain is a common complaint, with 80% experiencing it in their lifetime.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the association between abdominal aortic aneurysm and low back pain.
• To emphasize the importance of including AAA in the differential diagnosis of chronic low back pain.
• To underscore the critical need for timely diagnosis of AAA.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on AAA prevalence and symptoms.
• Analysis of diagnostic criteria for chronic low back pain.
• Case study review linking AAA to low back pain presentation.

Main Results:

• Up to 91% of AAA cases present with low back pain.
• Chronic low back pain is a frequent reason for emergency consultations.
• Most cases of low back pain have a benign course, but AAA is a critical exception.

Conclusions:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic low back pain, especially in at-risk populations.
• Early detection of AAA is vital to prevent catastrophic rupture.
• Integrating vascular screening into back pain diagnostics can improve patient outcomes.