Meta-analysis finds rising prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 162 studies covering over 316,000 participants estimated a baseline unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) prevalence of 3.9% in a reference population, with higher adjusted prevalence ratios in connective-tissue disorder (3.9), autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (4.4), and increased risk ratios for current smoking (1.4), hypertension (1.6), and female sex (1.9). The authors report that UIA prevalence measured by MR or CT angiography rose from earlier periods to 6.6% in 2016-2022, with an adjusted prevalence ratio of 1.8 versus 2002-2015, and state this increase is only partly explained by improved detection of small aneurysms and an ageing population. The authors conclude that other factors, possibly environmental, may be involved and that findings warrant further investigation into personalised screening for high-risk groups.

Most relevant for: Patients with connective-tissue disorders, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, a family history of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, or risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and female sex.

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