Important NCDs Flashcards
Depression definition
most common mental disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. Can lead to suicide at its worst.
Depression risk factors and causes
Genetic predisposition
o Chronic medical conditions
o Traumatic or stressful life events
o Substance abuse
o Hormonal changes
Depression PH relevance
Leading cause of disability worldwide. 3.25% of DALYs in the UK.
o Associated with increased risk of suicide
o Significant economic burden due to healthcare costs and lost productivity
Depression prevalence
13% 2022/23 QOF
Depression prevention
o Primary: Promoting mental well-being through community programs
o Secondary: Early detection through screening in primary care
o Tertiary: Providing effective treatment – reduce risk of suicide
Suicide and parasuicide definition
o Suicide: The act of intentionally causing one’s own death.
o Parasuicide: refers to non-fatal acts of self-harm or self-injury that are intentional but not necessarily with suicidal intent
Suicide risk factors
o Mental health disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder)
o Substance abuse
o History of trauma or abuse, suicide bereavement, prison
o Chronic pain or illness
o Social isolation
o Deprivation
financial difficulties
gambling
PH relevance of suicide
Major cause of premature mortality, preventable
o Significant impact on families and communities
o High economic costs due to healthcare utilization and lost productivity
prevalence of suicide
there were 6,069 suicides registered in England and Wales (11.4 deaths per 100,000 people) in 2023
Time/Place/Person - suicide
o Higher rates in males
o Peak incidence around younger adults and middle age
o Elevated rates in certain regions, including rural areas, deprived industrial areas
o Decreasing since 1980s but since 2000 it has plateaued. Increase associated with the financial crisis.
suicide prevention
o Primary: Implementing community-based mental health programs, debt relief, substance misuse programmes
o Secondary: Training healthcare providers to recognize and respond to warning signs, management of mental illness
o Tertiary: Providing support and counselling to individuals who have attempted suicide
dementia defintion
Neurodegenerative syndrome. Cognitive impairment in at least two of the following cognitive domains: memory, language, behaviour, visuospatial or executive function. Two main types:
o Alzheimer’s disease - Loss of acetylcholine receptors and neurons in the brain– atrophy of cerebral cortex and formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles
o Vascular dementia - reduced blood supply to the brain following a stroke or multiple small strokes
dementia risk factors
o Age (most common in those over 65)
o Family history
o Cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes)
o Smoking
o Low educational attainment, learning disabilities
o Head injury
o associated with presence of other diseases e.g. CVD, obesity, downs syndrome, depression
o higher risk with smoking, poor diet and excessive alcohol
dementia PH relevance
o Leading cause of death in the UK, increasing prevalence with aging population
o No cure
o Significant burden on healthcare and social services
o High economic costs due to long-term care needs – health and social care and informal carers
Dementia epi
o Higher prevalence in women
o Risk Increases with age (genetic has earlier onset)
Increasing with ageing population
dementia prevention
o Primary: Promoting cardiovascular health through diet and exercise
o Secondary: Early detection through cognitive screening and treatment with protective factors/address modifiable risk factors – use of memory and cognitive skills
o Tertiary: Providing support services and interventions to manage symptoms
dementia prevalence
7% in older adults
large proportion undiagnosed.
Parkinson’s disease definition
Chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder leading to loss of dopamine-containing cells in the substantia nigra.
o Cardinal symptoms are: resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (slow and small movement), postural instability.
Parkinson’s disease risk factors
o Age (most common after 60)
o Family history
o Exposure to MPTP
o Weak evidence for head trauma, toxin exposure (e.g., pesticides)
Parkinson’s disease PH relevance
o A leading cause of disability in older adults. Increasing with ageing population.
o High healthcare costs due to long-term treatment and caregiving needs + common cause of falls and hospital admissions.
o No cure, but treatments can improve quality of life. Difficult to diagnose early.
Parkinson’s disease prevalence
o Around 153,000 people were living with Parkinson’s in the UK in 2023. (parkinsons.org.uk)
o The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is 2.7%. This is equivalent to 1 in every 37 people being diagnosed at some point in their lifetime.
Parkinson’s disease epi
o More common in men than women.
o Risk increases with age.
o Higher rates in areas with an aging population.
Parkinson’s disease prevention
o Secondary: Early detection and symptom management. Screening may be more widespread if more treatments/ protective agents are developed
o Tertiary: treatment of symptoms - Physical therapy, medications, and surgical treatments (e.g., deep brain stimulation).
Schizophrenia defintion
A severe psychotic disorder.
o chronic, often lifelong, psychotic condition or group of conditions characterised by three types of symptoms:
(a) positive – third-person auditory hallucinations, delusions, disrupted speech;
(b) negative – flat affect, low mood, withdrawal from social life, lack of motivation;
(c) cognitive – memory, concentration problems
Schizophrenia risk factors
o Genetic predisposition.
o Neurochemical imbalances (dopamine dysregulation).
o Substance abuse (e.g., cannabis use linked to increased risk).
o Childhood trauma or adverse experiences.
o In-utero exposures (maternal stress, nutritional deficiency)
Schizophrenia PH relevance
o A leading cause of disability (chronic illness) – shorter life expectancy, higher risk of NCDs
o High burden on mental health services.
o Associated with increased risk of homelessness and unemployment.
o Stigmatised
Schizophrenia prevalence
o 1 in every 100 people get this diagnosis at some point in their life. (mind.org.uk)
Schizophrenia epi
o First onset usually occurs in late teens to early 30s.
o More common in urban areas.
o Higher prevalence in ethnic minority groups and low income groups, migrants
o Men tend to develop symptoms earlier than women.
Schizophrenia prevention
o Primary: Early childhood intervention, reducing drug use.
o Secondary: Early identification and treatment of prodromal symptoms.
o Tertiary: Ongoing psychiatric treatment and social support.
Coronary heart disease defintion
A condition where the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by fatty deposits in the coronary arteries. Is primarily caused by atherosclerosis (plaques of fat, cholesterol or other substances which narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow) of the epicardial coronary arteries. CHD can lead to:
o Angina
o MI - ischaemia of myocardium.
o Heart failure - can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the ventricle to fill with or eject blood.
o Cardiac arrest - a sudden state of circulatory failure due to a loss of cardiac systolic function
stroke
Coronary heart disease risk factors
o Lifestyle – smoking, inactivity, poor diet, obesity, substance misuse
o Family history of cardiovascular disease.
o Other diseases – hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, HIV and inflammatory disease, obesity
o Stress
o Air pollution
Coronary heart disease PH relevance
o One of the leading causes of death worldwide.
o Significant burden on healthcare services - 100,000 hospital admissions per year due to heart attacks
o Preventable through lifestyle changes.
o Causes health inequalities
Coronary heart disease prevalence
o In the UK, one in eight men (the biggest male killer) and one in 14 women die from coronary heart disease.
Coronary heart disease epi
o Higher prevalence in deprived areas. Higher rates in Scotland and north of England.
o More common in older adults.
o Men at higher risk than women.
Coronary heart disease prevention
o Primary: Promoting healthy eating and exercise.
o Secondary: Screening for high blood pressure and cholesterol – NHS health checks programme. Statins, lifestyle measures.
o Tertiary: Medications (statins, beta-blockers) and lifestyle modification to reduce risk of future events.
Stroke defintion
A medical emergency where blood supply to the brain is disrupted, leading to brain damage. Stroke is defined as an acute neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hours and caused by cerebrovascular aetiology. Two types:
o ischaemic stroke (caused by a blood clot, accounts for 87% of causes)
o haemorrhagic stroke (accounts for 10%, due to a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursting).
* Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs) is <24h (blood supply temporarily interrupted)
stroke risk factors
o Family history
o Lifestyle – smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, inactivity, poor diet
o CVD disease – hypertension, atrial fibrillation, history of MI, hypercholesterolaemia
o Other diseases – diabetes, sickle cell disease
stroke PH relevance
o One of the leading causes of disability and death
o Requires long-term rehabilitation services
o Significant healthcare costs and informal carers
o Potentially preventable
prevalence stroke
100,000 strokes occur annually in the UK. (stroke.org.uk)
o 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK.
stroke epi
o Higher rates in people of South Asian and African descent.
o More common in older adults. Increasing prevalence due to older population
o Increased prevalence in lower socioeconomic groups.
o More common in men
stroke prevention
o Primary: Healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking. Targeted interventions for high risk (family history)
o Secondary: identifying and treating high blood pressure. NHS health checks
o Tertiary: Stroke rehabilitation, speech and physical therapy. Anticoagulants, statins, lifestyle modification
Bowel cancer risk factors
Age >50, male, family history.
o High red/processed meat intake, low fibre diet
o Obesity, smoking, alcohol, inactivity
Bowel cancer PH relevance
One of the most common cancers in the UK (4th most common)
o Early detection through screening improves survival.
o Over half of cases are preventable
Bowel cancer prevalence
69 per 100,000 per year
Bowel cancer epi
o Incident rates decreased in the last decade. Bowel cancer survival in the UK has more than doubled in the last 40 years
o higher in countries with Western-style diet
o more common in men and over 50s
o higher mortality in deprived groups
Bowel cancer prevention
o Primary: Healthy diet, exercise, reducing alcohol/smoking.
o Secondary: NHS bowel cancer screening.
o Tertiary: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
Breast cancer PH relevance
o Major cause of mortality in women, rare in men. Most common type of cancer in women in UK.
o Better prognosis with early detection and treatment.
o Controversy over benefits of screening.
Breast cancer risk factors
o Family history – BRCA1 and 2 genes
o Female gender, aging
o Obesity, alcohol, hormone therapy.
Breast cancer prevalence
o 55,000 cases annually in the UK. (breastcancernow.org)
o 1 in 7 women diagnosed in their life time
o 86% 5 yr survival
Breast cancer epi
o Incidence increased since 1990s. Survival improving in UK (41% decrease in mortality rates since early 1970s)
o Gender: women>men
o Age: higher incidence in older women
o Deaths are more common amongst more deprived groups
Breast cancer prevention
o Primary: Lifestyle modifications.
o Secondary: Mammography screening programme
o Tertiary: Surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy.
Lung cancer risk factors
Smoking (90% of cases), passive smoking.
o Air pollution, occupational exposure, asbestos, ionising radiation.
Lung cancer PH relevance
o Third most common cancer
o High case fatality rate
o Almost 80% of cases are preventable
Lung cancer prevalence
o 48,000 new cases annually in the UK. (cancerresearchuk.org)
o 79 per 100,000 per year
o Incidence rates decreasing in last decade but increasing for women (lag effect)
Lung cancer epi
o Men > women
o >50s
o Deprived groups
Incidence decreasing overall but increasing for women
Lung cancer prevention
o Primary: Smoking cessation.
o Secondary: Early screening for high-risk groups – lung cancer checks for current and former smokers.
o Tertiary: Surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy.
Cervical cancer risk factors
o Persistent HPV infection.
o Smoking, early sexual activity, many sexual partners.
o Family history
Cervical cancer prevalence
o 3,200 new cases annually in the UK. (jostrust.org.uk)
o 5 per 100,000
o Incidence is decreased since 1990s but remained stable over the last decade
o Cervical cancer survival in the UK has increased in the last 40 years
Cervical cancer epi
o Women only
o Highest incidence in 30-34 years olds
o Higher risk in deprived groups
Cervical cancer prevention
o Primary: HPV vaccination, safe sex
o Secondary: Cervical screening (smear tests).
o Tertiary: Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy.
Cervical cancer PH relevance
o Common cause of cancer in women.
o More common in younger women - Premature mortality
o Almost all cases are preventable
o Early detection improves prognosis
Prostate cancer PH relevance
o Relatively high incidence in older men
o Controversy over benefits of screening.
Prostate cancer risk factors
o Age >50, African-Caribbean ethnicity.
o Family history, obesity.
Prostate cancer prevalence
o 52,000 new cases annually in the UK. (prostatecanceruk.org)
o 85 per 100,000 per year
Prostate cancer epi
o Survival improving
o Incident rising
o Only men – rare <50 years old
o Most common in men of African descent
Prostate cancer prevention
o Primary: Healthy diet, exercise.
o Secondary: PSA testing for high-risk individuals – screening not recommended due to low precision of the PSA test.
o Tertiary: Active surveillance, surgery, radiotherapy.
Asthma defintion
Chronic respiratory condition associated with inflammation of the airways causing reversible airway narrowing and breathing difficulty. Symptoms are shortness of breath, wheeze, cough. Symptoms can be triggered by allergens, weather change, respiratory infections, exercise.
Asthma risk factors
o Family history, allergies, smoking, pollution
o Workplace exposures – flour dust
o Obesity
o complex and multifactorial- multi-gene association interacting with environmental exposure
Asthma PH relevance
o Affects millions and leads to hospital admissions. One of the most common long term conditions world wide
o UK has amongst the highest prevalence of asthma in the world – significant number of hospital admissions – healthcare costs
o More common amongst children
o Asthma is often under-diagnosed and under-treated, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Asthma prevalence
o 7.2 million people in the UK have asthma. (asthma.org.uk)
o 6.5% of people of age of 6 years
Asthma epi
o Incidence and mortality decreasing globally
o UK hospital admissions decreasing
o More common in boys in childhood and females in adulthood
o More common in childhood
o Deprivation – poor housing, air pollution, smoking
Asthma prevention
o Primary: Reducing environmental triggers. Vitamin D in pregnancy, breastfeeding
o Secondary: Early diagnosis and treatment.
o Tertiary: Medication, inhalers, pulmonary rehab, managing obesity, smoking cessation, avoiding triggers
COPD defintion
A group of lung conditions causing airflow obstruction (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema).
o It is characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms (such as breathlessness, cough, and sputum) and airflow obstruction (usually progressive and not fully reversible).
COPD risk factors
o Smoking (most significant factor), pollution, Occupational exposures
o Family history
o Advanced age, deprivation childhood disadvantage, frequent lung infections in childhood
COPD PH relevance
o Leading cause of morbidity and disability. (6th worldwide)
o Mostly preventable
o Second largest cause of emergency hospital admissions and accounts for significant number of GP appts
COPD prevalence
o 1.2 million people in the UK diagnosed with COPD. (blf.org.uk)
o 4.5% in over 40s
COPD epi
o Increasing prevalence over last 10 years but now steady – increasing global burden
o More common in men but prevalence increasing in females.
o More common in older age
COPD prevention
o Primary: Smoking cessation, avoid occupational exposures
o Secondary: Spirometry screening.
o Tertiary: Pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, vaccination for respiratory infections
Sickle cell anaemia defintion
A autosomal recessive genetic blood disorder causing misshapen red blood cells (sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS)) that block blood flow.
o Sickle cells can obstruct blood flow and break down prematurely, and are associated with varying degrees of anaemia.
o Obstruction of small blood capillaries can cause painful crises, damage to major organs, and increased vulnerability to severe infections.
Sickle cell anaemia risk factors
o Inherited condition, primarily affects Black and South Asian populations.
Sickle cell anaemia PH relevance
o Associated with lifelong morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Increased risk of serious infections
o Health inequalities – in the UK it mainly affects black population
Sickle cell anaemia prevalence
o Approximately 15,000 people in the UK have sickle cell disease. (nhs.uk)
o Approximately 8% of black people carry the sickle cell gene.
Sickle cell anaemia epi
o Morbidity and mortality are declining because of improvements in the management
o Ethnicity: Sickle cell trait or disease offers a protective effect against malaria in endemic regions, and this has led to positive selection for the gene mutation. Its prevalence is 10% to 30% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sickle cell anaemia prevention
o Primary: Carrier screening and genetic counselling.
o Secondary: Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) Screening Programme for all newborn babies and infants newly arrived in the UK . screening for pregnant women depending on local prevalence.
o Tertiary: Pain management, blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants.
Diabetes definition
a chronic health condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to the body’s inability to produce sufficient insulin or effectively use the insulin it produces. Two types:
o T1 – A lifelong condition where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas (autoimmune disease)
o T2 – most common (90%). A metabolic disorder where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin properly. Often associated with lifestyle factors.
Diabetes risk factors
o T1 – genetics, Environmental triggers (e.g., viral infections).
o T2 – genetic predisposition, ageing, obesity, gestational diabetes, non-white ancestry, POS, hypertension, cholesterol, CVD, stress
Diabetes PH relevance
o One of the most common chronic disease in the UK
o Reduced life expectancy
o Type 2 can be preventable through diet, exercise, weight management
o High morbidity burden – type 2 increased risk of stroke and MI, common cause of CKD, foot problems, amputations, mental health issues prevalence higher in people with diabetes
o Primary and secondary care costs – 10% of NHS budget (mostly due to complications)
Diabetes epi
o Increasing prevalence over last decade in UK, e.g. T2 among children
o Diabetes prevalence and incidence is increasing worldwide, compounded by population growth and an ageing population. Rising more rapidly in LMICs
o Higher in more deprived groups
o Ethnicity: People of south Asian, African, and Afro-Caribbean ethnicity are 2–4 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than white people
Diabetes prevalence
o ONS: An estimated 7% of adults in England showed evidence of type 2 diabetes, and 3 in 10 (30%) of those were undiagnosed
Diabetes prevention
o Primary Prevention: for type 2 Promote healthy eating and regular physical activity, address social determinants of health to reduce inequalities.
o Secondary Prevention: Screening programs to identify individuals at high risk (high blood sugar/pre-diabetes), Early intervention strategies, such as the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
o Tertiary Prevention: Effective management of diabetes to prevent complications (regular monitoring, remote monitoring, foot checks, diabetic retinopathy screening), support for lifestyle modifications, Patient education to empower self-management.
air pollution definition
o Indoor and outdoor
o Range of damaging pollutants: fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM<10), ammonia (NH3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), non-methane volatile organic compounds, ozone
Air pollution causes and hams
o Transport, industry, farming, energy generation and domestic heating.
o Deaths attributable to air pollution highest for cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, respiratory infections and TB, maternal and neonatal disorders, and cancers.
air pollution PH relevance
o largest environmental risk to public health in UK
o Globally - 4th highest risk for attributable deaths in males and females
* Prevalence/Incidence:
o Estimated 28,000-36,000 deaths in UK per year due to air pollution
impacts inequalities
o Impacts more deprived areas – more traffic
o LMICs
o Higher risk for people with asthma, COPD, older people,
air pollution prevention
o National: Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010, Environment Act 2021 targets for PM2.5, air quality forecasts
o Local gov: invest in public transport, active travel, healthy environments (green spaces, building layouts etc.), NHS should reduce its own emissions, bans on wood burners, ULEZ
o Individuals: people with resp conditions should not take vigorous exercise when air quality poor
Road traffic accidents PH relevance
o Preventable
o High cause of mortality and morbidity in young people
* Prevalence/Incidence:
o In 2023: 1,695 road deaths, 28,967 serious injuries
* Time/person/place
o Young men
o Bigger impact in LMICs
o Downward trend since 1970s but plateaued in last decade
Road traffic accidents prevention
o THINK Campaign re-launched in August 2023, drink driving laws, Smart Motorways (controversial), mobile phone bans, seatbelt laws, 20 mile/ hour speed limits in urban centres
o Proposed: Progressive licensing for new drivers (not allowing passengers in first years).
Alcohol use disorder definition
o Harmful (higher-risk) drinking — this is a pattern of alcohol consumption causing health problems directly related to alcohol
o Alcohol dependence — this is characterized by craving, tolerance, a preoccupation with alcohol, and continued drinking in spite of harmful consequences (for example, liver disease or depression caused by drinking).
Alcohol use disorder risk factors and causes
o Addiction, stress, mental health disorders
o Social and environmental factos – norms, exposure to heavy drinking
Alcohol use disorder PH relevance
o Preventable, premature mortality
o High cause of mortality and morbidity - a key risk factor in the development of many long term conditions such as high blood pressure or hypertension, atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm), CVD and stroke.
o Significant financial burden on healthcare systems due to hospital admissions and treatments – emergency (accidents, alcohol poisoning) and chronic (cancer, liver disease, CVD)
alcohol use disorder prevalence and epi
- Prevalence/Incidence:
o 24% of adults in England and Scotland, regularly drink at levels that increase their risk of ill health - Time/person/place
o Deprivation: In 2020, 1 in 3 of all alcohol specific deaths occurred in the most deprived 20% of the population
o Reduction in binge drinking among young people
o Covid-19 impacted patterns - lighter drinkers decreased consumption during the pandemic, but heavy drinkers increased consumption
o Higher burden in Scotland
o More common in males
AUD prevention
- Primary: Public health campaigns, policy measures like alcohol pricing, and reducing availability (MUP, multi buy offers, opening times).
- Secondary: Screening programs to identify at-risk individuals and early interventions e.g. NHS health checks
- Tertiary: Alcohol Care Teams (ACTs) in hospitals, community substance misuses services, in patient detox
Obesity defintion
o Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive body fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. It’s commonly assessed using the Body Mass Index (BMI), where a BMI of 30 or above indicates obesity
obesity PH relevance
o Preventable, premature mortality (reduced life expectancy by average of 3 years)
o High cause of mortality and morbidity - Associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and stroke, high BP, high cholesterol, breathing issues, bone and joint issues – high Cost
o Stigmatised issue – mental health issues
o School absence and unemployment
Obesity risk factors and causes
o Dietary Factors: High intake of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods, Sedentary lifestyle contributes to weight gain.
o Genetics: Genetic predisposition can influence body weight.
o Medical Conditions: Certain conditions like hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain.
Obesity epi and prevalence
Prevalence/Incidence:
o In the UK, around 1 in every 4 adults and approximately 1 in every 5 children aged 10 to 11 are living with obesity
Time/person/place
o Obesity rates have been rising over the past decade
o Higher rates among individuals in socioeconomically deprived areas and certain ethnic groups.
Obesity prevention
o Primary: Promoting healthy eating and physical activity through public health initiatives.
o Secondary: Screening for overweight and obesity in healthcare settings and providing early interventions – NHS healthchecks
o Tertiary: Medical treatments, behavioural therapy, and bariatric surgery for individuals with severe obesity.
Depression epi
More common in women
More common in urban area
Middle/older age
Increasing prevalence over time - impact of covid and cost of living crisis
AAA
Flashcard: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
What is it?
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized enlargement of the abdominal aorta, typically defined as a diameter greater than 3 cm, resulting from the weakening of the arterial wall. If an AAA ruptures, it can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
Public Health Importance
• High mortality rate: Ruptured AAAs have a mortality rate of up to 80%.
• Often asymptomatic: Many cases remain undiagnosed until rupture.
• Healthcare burden: Emergency treatments are resource-intensive.
• Screening programs: Effective in reducing mortality among high-risk groups.
Risk Factors & Causes
• Modifiable: Smoking (strongest risk factor), hypertension, hyperlipidemia.
• Non-modifiable: Male sex, age >65, family history, genetic disorders (e.g., Marfan syndrome).
• Other: Atherosclerosis, connective tissue disorders, inflammatory conditions.
Epidemiology (Person, Time, Place)
• Person: More common in men (4:1 ratio), aged >65.
• Time: Incidence increases with age; peak in elderly populations.
• Place: Higher prevalence in high-income countries with aging populations.
Prevalence in the UK
• Approximately 1 in 70 men aged 65 have an AAA.
• In the 2019-2020 screening period, 0.92% of men aged 65 had an AAA.
Prevention
• Primary: Smoking cessation, blood pressure control, lipid management.
• Secondary: Screening (e.g., one-time ultrasound for men >65), surveillance of small aneurysms.
• Tertiary: Elective surgical repair for large or rapidly growing AAAs to prevent rupture.
