News Release

Screening for aortic aneurysms is cost effective

Multicentre aneurysm screening study (MASS): cost effectiveness analysis of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms based on four year results from randomised controlled trial BMJ Volume 325, pp 1135-8

Peer-Reviewed Publication

BMJ

Routine screening for aortic aneurysms in older men is cost effective, according to a study in this week's BMJ.

Using data from a large randomised trial, researchers assessed the cost effectiveness of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms in 67,800 men aged 65-74 years for up to four years.

Over four years, there were 47 fewer deaths related to abdominal aortic aneurysms in the screening group than in the control group, but the additional costs incurred were £2.2m.

After adjustment, the additional cost of the screening programme was £63.39 per patient. The cost effectiveness ratio was £28,400 per life year gained. Although this figure is at the margin of acceptability according to current NHS thresholds, it is estimated to fall to around £8,000 per life year gained after 10 years, say the authors.

"The clinical analysis and this economic analysis of the MASS trial together provide clear evidence to support the cost effectiveness of this particular form of screening in elderly men," they conclude.

The clinical results will be appearing simultaneously in this week's issue of the Lancet.

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