Impact of unruptured intracranial aneurysms on public health in the United States

David O. Wiebers, James C. Torner, Irene Meissner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

81 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Unruptured intracranial aneurysms constitute a significant public health problem that has not been quantified. The purpose of this study is to document the magnitude of this problem in the United States. Methods: National Hospital Discharge Survey data from 1979, 1984, and 1989 served as the basis for calculating patient numbers and frequency distributions. Cost estimates included the direct costs of hospitalization and surgery for those who had surgery, disability and lost income from morbidity, and lost income from mortality. Results: The estimated lifetime cost (including hospitalization, surgery, morbidity, and mortality) for annual cases of patients hospitalized with unruptured intracranial aneurysms in the United States is $522,500,000 compared with $1,755,600,000 for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Conclusions: These data underscore the need to better understand unruptured intracranial aneurysm as a risk factor for subarachnoid hemorrhage, to define other subarachnoid hemorrhage risk factors, and to optimize the management of patients with these conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1416-1419
Number of pages4
JournalStroke
Volume23
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1992

Keywords

  • Cerebral aneurysm
  • Epidemiology
  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Advanced and Specialized Nursing

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