The Role of Simple Renal Cysts, Abdominal Wall Hernia, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as Predictive Factors for Aortoiliac Aneurysmatic Disease

Do Hernias Contribute to Increased Severity of Aneurysmal Disease among Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Patients?

Background  Connective tissue disorders could contribute to the pathogenesis of both abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and hernias. We tested the hypothesis that hernias in AAA patients contribute to increased severity of the aneurysmal disease.

Methods  A questionnaire was used to collect information from 195 AAA patients divided into four groups: (1) survivors ( n  = 22) of ruptured AAA, (2) patients ( n  = 90) after elective open repair, (3) patients ( n  = 43) after elective endovascular repair (EVAR), and (4) patients ( n  = 40) under surveillance of AAA. The control group consisted of 100 patients without AAA whose abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans were examined for the presence of hernias. Mann–Whitney U -test, Chi-squared ( χ² ) test, or Fisher's exact test (as appropriate) were used for statistical analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to control for potential confounding variables such as sex and age.

Results  The prevalence of inguinal hernias was significantly higher in the AAA than the control group (25 vs. 9%, p  = 0.001) and did not differ between the AAA subgroups (9, 24, 35, and 23% in subgroups 1 through 4, respectively, p  = 0.15) based on univariate analysis. The prevalence of inguinal hernias did not differ ( p  = 0.15) between the two open surgery groups (groups 1 and 2), or when comparing all three operative procedures as a combined group to group 4 ( p  = 0.73). The prevalences of incisional hernias were 18 and 24% for groups 1 and 2, respectively, with no significant difference ( p  = 0.39). Inguinal hernia demonstrated a significant association with AAA on multivariate analysis ( p  = 0.006; odds ratio [OR] = 4.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.49–10.66).

Conclusions  Our study confirms previous observations that patients with AAA have a high prevalence of hernias. Our results suggest that hernias do not contribute to increased severity of the aneurysmal disease.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms and abdominal wall hernias - a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Abdominal wall hernias (AWHs) share common epidemiological characteristics with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), typically presenting in male population and older ages. Prior reports have associated those two disease entities. Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis and examine whether AAA rates are higher among patients with AWH vs controls and whether the incidence of AWH was higher among patients with AAA vs patients without AAA. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA guidelines. The Medline database was searched up to July 31, 2020. A random effects meta-analysis was performed. Results: In total, 17 articles and 738,972 participants were included in the systematic review, while 107,578 patients were eligible for the meta-analysis. Among four studies investigating the incidence of AAA in patients with hernias, AAA was more common in patients with hernias, compared to patients without hernias. [OR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.24-5.16, I²=81.6%]. Among thirteen studies that compared patients with known AAA vs no AAA, the incidence of hernias was higher in patients with AAA, compared with patients without AAA [OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.66-3.09, I²=84.6%]. Conclusions: Our study findings indicate that a strong association between AWH and AAA exists. AWHs could therefore be used as an additional selection criterion for screening patients for AAA, apart from age, gender, family history and smoking.

Association of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Simple Renal Cysts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND-OBJECTIVE

Prior studies have suggested a higher prevalence of simple renal cysts (SRC) among patients with aortic disease, including abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Thus, the aim of this study was to systematically review all currently available literature and investigate whether patients with AAA are more likely to have SRC.

METHODS

This study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. A meta-analysis was conducted with the use of random effects modeling and the I-square was used to assess heterogeneity. Odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were synthesized to compare the prevalence of several patients' characteristics between AAA vs. no-AAA cases.

RESULTS

Eleven retrospective studies, 9 comparative (AAA vs. no-AAA groups) and 3 single-arm (AAA group), were included in this meta-analysis, enrolling patients (AAA: N = 2,297 vs. no-AAA: N = 35,873) who underwent computed tomography angiography as part of screening or preoperative evaluation for reasons other than AAA. The cumulative incidence of SRC among patients with AAA and no-AAA was 55% (95% CI: 49%-61%) and 32% (95% CI: 22%-42%) respectively, with a statistically higher odds of SRC among patients with AAA (OR: 3.02; 95% CI: 2.01-4.56; P< 0.001). The difference in SRC prevalence remained statistically significant in a sensitivity analysis, after excluding the study with the largest sample size (OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.91-3.84; P< 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis demonstrated a 3-fold increased prevalence of SRC in patients with AAA compared to no-AAA cases, indicating that the pathogenic processes underlying SRC and AAA could share a common pathophysiologic mechanism. Thus, patients with SRC could be considered at high risk for AAA formation, potentially warranting an earlier AAA screening.

The association between simple renal cyst and aortic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this meta-analysis of observational studies was to evaluate the association between simple renal cysts (SRC) and presence of aortic pathology such as aortic aneurysms and dissection.

METHODS

We conducted searches in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1960 to August 2019 to identify observational studies that examined the association between SRCs and any aortic diseases, including aortic aneurysms and dissection. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the risk of bias. The meta-analysis was performed by STATA 14.1.

RESULTS

In total, 11 observational studies with 19 719 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to individuals without SRCs, patients with SRCs had higher odds of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (adjusted OR = 2.61, 95% CI 2.34-2.91, P < 0.001, I²   = 0%), ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.09-3.63, P = 0.03, I²   = 90.1%), descending TAA (adjusted OR = 3.44, 95% CI, 2.67-4.43, P < 0.001, I²   = 0%), type A aortic dissection (AD) (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.32-2.96, P = 0.001, I²   = 12.9%), and type B AD (adjusted OR = 2.55, 95% CI, 1.31-4.96, P = 0.006, I²   = 76.2%). There was a higher average in the sum of diameter of SRCs among AAA compared to patients without AAA (WMD = 19.80 mm, 95% CI 13.92-25.67, P < 0.001, I²   = 63.8%).

CONCLUSION

SRC is associated with higher odds of aortic diseases including AAA, ascending and descending TAA, type A and type B dissection even after adjusting for confounders.

Association of simple renal cysts and chronic kidney disease with large abdominal aortic aneurysm

Background

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) primarily affect men over 65 years old who often have many other diseases, with similar risk factors and pathobiological mechanisms to AAA. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of simple renal cysts (SRC), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and other kidney diseases (e.g. nephrolithiasis) among patients presenting with AAA.

Methods

Two groups of patients (97 AAA and 100 controls), with and without AAA, from the Surgical Clinic Charité, Berlin, Germany, were selected for the study. The control group consisted of patients who were evaluated for a kidney donation (n = 14) and patients who were evaluated for an early detection of a melanoma recurrence (n = 86). The AAA and control groups were matched for age and sex. Medical records were analyzed and computed tomography scans were reviewed for the presence of SRC and nephrolithiasis.

Results

SRC (74% vs. 57%; p<0.016) and CKD (30% vs. 8%; p<0.001) were both more common among AAA than control group patients. On multivariate analysis, CKD, but not SRC, showed a strong association with AAA.

Conclusions

Knowledge about pathobiological mechanisms and association between CKD and AAA could provide better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these patients.

Association of hernia with subsequent aortic aneurysm in geriatric patients

OBJECTIVE

Although inguinal hernia and aortic aneurysm share similar pathogenic mechanisms of collagen and elastin destruction, their clinical association in geriatric patients is inconclusive. We assessed the association between hernia and the subsequent occurrence of aortic aneurysm in geriatric patients.

METHODS

Adult patients with hernias between 2000 and 2012 were identified from a longitudinal claims database of 1 million beneficiaries from Taiwan's National Health Insurance program, and a control group of patients without hernia were matched by propensity score in a ratio of 1:3. Patients previously diagnosed with aortic aneurysms or connective tissue diseases were excluded. Follow-up ended on December 31, 2013. The incidence rate of aortic aneurysm was compared between patients with hernia and those without. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative hazards.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, there were 16,933 patients with hernia (aged 20-64 years: 10,326; ≥65 years: 6607) and 50,799 patients without hernia (aged 20-64: 30,978; ≥65: 19,821). Patients with hernia had a greater incidence rate and hazard ratio of aortic aneurysm than did patients without hernia (6.4 vs 4.8/10,000 person-years; adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [sdHR], 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.76; P = .03), especially for those aged ≥65 years (15.6 vs 10.4/10,000 person-years; adjusted sdHR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.07-1.94; P = .01) In addition, geriatric patients with hernia were associated with a marginally greater risk of thoracic (adjusted sdHR, 1.66; 95% CI, 0.96-2.86) and abdominal (adjusted sdHR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.96-1.94) aortic aneurysm rupture.

CONCLUSIONS

Geriatric patients with hernia were associated with a greater incidence of aortic aneurysm than were those without.

Comorbidities Associated with Large Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Background  Abdominal aortic aneurysm has become increasingly important owing to demographic changes. Some other diseases, for example, cholecystolithiasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hernias, seem to co-occur with abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to identify new comorbidities associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Methods  We compared 100 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms and 100 control patients. Their preoperative computed tomographic scans were examined by two investigators independently, for the presence of hernias, diverticulosis, and cholecystolithiasis. Medical records were also reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results  The aneurysm group had a higher frequency of diverticulosis ( p  = 0.008). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of hernia ( p  = 0.073) or cholecystolithiasis ( p  = 1.00). Aneurysm patients had a significantly higher American Society of Anesthesiology score (2.84 vs. 2.63; p  = 0.015) and were more likely to have coronary artery disease ( p  < 0.001), congestive heart failure ( p  < 0.001), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( p  < 0.001). Aneurysm patients were more likely to be former ( p  = 0.034) or current ( p  = 0.006) smokers and had a significantly higher number of pack years ( p  < 0.001). Aneurysm patients also had a significantly poorer lung function. In multivariate analysis, the following factors were associated with aneurysms: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio, OR = 12.24; p  = 0.002), current smoking (OR = 4.14; p  = 0.002), and coronary artery disease (OR = 2.60; p  = 0.020).

Conclusions  Our comprehensive analysis identified several comorbidities associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms. These results could help to recognize aneurysms earlier by targeting individuals with these comorbidities for screening.

Simple renal cysts in the solitary kidney: Are they innocent in adult patients?

In patients with a solitary kidney; residual renal volume is an important prognostic factor for kidney survival. At present, the impact of renal cysts on solitary kidney survival is not clear. The aim of this study is to examine the association of cysts on progression of renal failure in patients with a solitary kidney.

METHODS

This study included sixtyfive solitary kidney patients. The remaining kidneys after indication nephrectomy (IN) were evaluated with urinary system ultrasound. The primary outcome of the study is the progression of kidney failure during follow-up which was defined as: 25% decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and / or the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT).

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 55 ± 14 years and mean follow-up was 53 ± 27 months. Renal cysts were present in 30.7% of patients. 33.8 percent of patients had kidney disease progression and 10.7 % required RRT. Those with progressive disease were older (61 ± 13, 52 ± 14; P = 0.011), had lower baseline GFR (30 ± 11, 39 ± 18; P = 0.035), higher proteiuria (2.84 ± 0.58, 2.47 ± 0.57; P = 0.031) and frequently harboring cysts in the solitary kidney (52.3%, 20.4%; P = 0.006). Progression to kidney failure and RRT requirement in cases with or without renal cysts was (60% vs. 22%; P = 0.004) and (20% vs. 6.6%; P = 0.123), respectively. Acquired cysts in solitary kidney was independently associated with progression to kidney failure and RRT respectively (Exp(B) 3.173; P = 0.01 and Exp(B) 12.35; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Simple renal cysts in solitary kidney patients with impaired renal function is associated with poor renal outcome. Large-scale studies are needed to clarify this issue.

A Meta-Analysis of the Association of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Presence

BACKGROUND

Several case-control and population-based abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening studies have reported inconclusive results of the association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with AAA presence. To determine whether COPD is associated with AAA presence, we performed a meta-analysis of contemporary clinical studies.

METHODS

To identify all contemporary case-control and population-based AAA screening studies evaluating the association of COPD with AAA presence, databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from January 2000 to May 2015 using Web-based search engines (PubMed and OVID). An adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for COPD or AAA presence (using multivariable logistic regression) were abstracted from each individual study. We took an OR for AAA presence to be representative of an OR for COPD presence.

RESULTS

Of 159 potentially relevant articles screened initially, there were 7 case-control and 4 population-based AAA screening studies that met eligibility requirements and were included. Pooled analysis of all the 11 studies (14 estimates, 155,731 participants), 7 case-control studies (4171 participants), and 4 population-based AAA screening studies (7 estimates, 151,560 participants) respectively demonstrated a statistically significant 1.78-fold (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.38-2.30, P < 0.00001), 3.05-fold (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.44-6.49, P = 0.004), and 1.24-fold (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.48, P = 0.02) increased prevalence/incidence of COPD in patients with AAA relative to subjects without AAA (i.e., a statistically significant 1.78-, 3.05-, and 1.24-fold increased prevalence/incidence of AAA in patients with COPD relative to subjects without COPD) (P for subgroup differences = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis demonstrated 1.8-fold increased prevalence/incidence of COPD in patients with AAA relative to subjects without AAA (i.e., 1.8-fold increased prevalence/incidence of AAA in patients with COPD relative to subjects without COPD), which suggests that COPD is associated with AAA presence.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease effect on the prevalence and postoperative outcome of abdominal aortic aneurysms: A meta-analysis

Epidemiologic evidence suggested chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might increase risk for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, the association between COPD and AAA remains inconclusive. We searched PubMed and Cochrane databases until June 2015. Forty-eight articles were included for meta-analysis. COPD was found to be positively associated with AAA, regardless of study design and smoking status. AAA mortality is higher among COPD patients compared with non-COPD patients (postoperative [adjusted OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.33–3.34]; long-term [adjusted OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.37–2.12]). But the association between postoperative mortality and COPD was not found to be significant in patients underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (mixed OR 2.53; 95% CI 0.70–9.18). Rupture AAA may increase the postoperative mortality in COPD patients (rupture [adjusted OR 4.75; 95% CI 2.07–10.89]; non-rupture [adjusted OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.11–3.49]). The AAA postoperative morbidity was found to be positively associated with COPD (adjusted OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.14–2.21). Increased COPD severity may increase the long-term mortality (medical versus oxygen dependent: [OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.07–1.49] versus [OR 2.79; 95% CI 2.24–3.49]). In conclusion, COPD may increase the risk of AAA, morbidity and mortality of AAA patients underwent endovascular aortic repair.

Simple renal cyst and abdominal aortic aneurysm

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the association of simple renal cyst (SRC) with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), we reviewed currently available clinical studies with a systematic literature search and meta-analytic evaluation.

METHODS

To identify all case-control studies evaluating the association of SRC with AAA, databases including MEDLINE and Embase were searched through April 2015 using web-based search engines (PubMed and Ovid). For each study, data regarding SRC prevalence in both the AAA and control groups were used to generate unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals. When an adjusted OR (by the use of multivariable logistic regression) was available, we preferentially abstracted the adjusted OR rather than an unadjusted OR.

RESULTS

Of 139 potentially relevant articles screened initially, 5 eligible case-control studies enrolling a total of 2897 participants were identified and included. A pooled analysis of seven estimates from the five studies demonstrated a statistically significant 2.54-fold prevalence of SRC in patients with AAA relative to subjects without AAA (OR, 2.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.93-3.34; P < .00001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analytic evaluation demonstrated 2.5-fold prevalence of SRC in patients with AAA relative to subjects without AAA, which suggests that SRC is associated with AAA.

The association of simple renal cysts with abdominal aortic aneurysms and their impact on renal function after endovascular aneurysm repair

We validated the association of simple renal cysts with abdominal aortic aneurysm and other cardiovascular factors and assessed simple renal cysts’ impact on renal function before and after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted. Computed tomography angiograms of 100 consecutive male patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm who underwent endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (Group 1) were reviewed and compared with 100 computed tomography angiogram of aged-matched male patients without abdominal aortic aneurysm (Group 2). Patients’ demographic data, risk factors, abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter, the presence of simple renal cyst and laboratory tests were recorded. No difference was observed between the two groups in respect to other cardiovascular risk factors except hyperlipidemia with higher prevalence in Group 1 ( p < 0.05). Presence of simple renal cysts was independently associated with age ( p < 0.05) and abdominal aortic aneurysm ( p = 0.0157). There was no correlation between simple renal cysts and abdominal aortic aneurysm size or pre-operative creatinine and urea levels. No difference was observed in post-operative creatinine and urea levels either immediately after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair or in 12-month follow-up. In male patients, the presence of simple renal cysts is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm and is increasing with age. However, their presence is neither associated with impaired renal function pre-endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and post-endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair nor after 12-month follow-up.

Presence of Renal Simple Cysts Is Associated With Increased Risk of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

We compared the incidence of renal simple cysts in 271 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and 1387 patients without AAA (controls) using computed tomography (CT) angiography and abdominal CT, as a health screening program. The AAA group had significantly higher prevalence of renal simple cysts (55% vs 19%, P = .001) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; 12% vs 1%, P = .011) than the controls. After propensity score matching (n = 164), the prevalence of renal simple cysts was still significantly higher in the AAA group. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of AAA were age, male gender, smoking history, hypertension, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, creatinine, COPD, and renal simple cysts. The structural weakness predisposing for renal simple cysts may be associated with the initiation of AAA formation. More studies are needed to determine whether the presence of renal simple cysts can be considered as a risk factor for AAA.

Lack of association between inguinal hernia and abdominal aortic aneurysm in a population-based male cohort

Background

Previous studies have reported a higher prevalence of inguinal hernia in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The aim of this study was to explore the association between inguinal hernia and AAA in a large population-based cohort of men who had screening for AAA.

Methods

A total of 18 331 men aged 65–76 years had ultrasound screening for AAA in the Central Region of Denmark from 2008 to 2010. The Danish National Patient Registry was interrogated, and screened men registered with an inguinal hernia from 1977 to 2011 were identified. The association between inguinal hernia and AAA was assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

The prevalence of AAA was 3.3 per cent (601 of 18 331). A total of 2936 (16.0 per cent) of the 18 331 patients were registered with a diagnosis of inguinal hernia or hernia repair. Inguinal hernia was not associated with AAA: crude odds ratio (OR) 0.86 (95 per cent confidence interval 0.68 to 1.09) and adjusted OR 0.94 (0.75 to 1.20).

Conclusion

In contrast to smaller patient-based studies, this large population-based study found no association between inguinal hernia and AAA.

Correlation between number of renal cysts and aortic circumferences measured using autopsy material

Although the presence of renal cysts has been reported to be associated with aortic aneurysm or dissection by imaging studies, an autopsy study has not been performed. Therefore, in our institute, recent consecutive adult autopsy cases (n=108, 64 males and 44 females) were reviewed. The circumferences and atherosclerosis ratios of both thoracic and abdominal aorta were individually measured and graded. The number of renal cysts was scored and graded. Age of subjects along with histories of smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were confirmed. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that severity of atherosclerosis and the number of renal cysts were correlated with thoracic aortic circumference, while only the number of renal cysts was correlated with abdominal aortic circumference (p<0.05), which was more predominant in female subjects (p<0.05). Microscopically, significantly more dilated renal tubules (by Student's t-test, p<0.05) along with decreased stainability of basement membrane by Periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunostaining of type IV collagen were noted in background renal tissues in cases with numerous renal cysts than in age- and sex-matched controls without renal cysts (n=10 vs. 10). The present study suggests that a syndrome that affects both aorta and renal tubules may exist.