Virtual Aneurysm Screening Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Virtual Aneurysm Screening Project
IRAS ID
233765
Contact name
David Sidloff
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dilation of the aorta, typically defined as an aortic diameter of 3cm or more. It is a significant cause of death internationally for example in England and Wales each year AAA rupture causes over 4,000 deaths and a further 8,000 patients undergo surgery to prevent rupture. AAA are asymptomatic until rupture occurs and there is a long latent period between AAA development and rupture. This represents an opportunity to screen for AAA by ultrasound which has been shown to reduce AAA-related mortality by half . In England (2015/2016), 227,543 men were screened however only 1.1% were diagnosed with AAA highlighting a major issue with screening for AAA: the majority of men screened do not have disease. This has economic and psychological implications.
This in-silico study would involve data linkage between the NHS AAA Screening Programme (NAAASP) and primary care datasets including the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and the ResearchOne. We have obtained agreement in principle from the NAAASP research committee to link the 2013/14 to 2016/17 screening cohorts (c.1 million men) to these primary care datasets.
Primary care datasets are the source used by Public Health England to identify and invite people into community screening programmes such as NAAASP. We aim to model outcomes of a AAA screening programme based upon targeting men with a history of smoking, the only risk factor proven to influence the development of AAA. Screening outcomes (AAA or no AAA) will already be known in the smoking and non-smoking group. Secondary analysis will include testing other screening models (such as including prior cardiovascular events) and an economic, cost effectiveness analysis (using an existing economic model) for each model generated. This analysis will test the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of targeted screening for AAA in high risk groups.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0140
Date of REC Opinion
30 May 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion