Diabetes and the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this review is to delineate the association between abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and diabetes mellitus. Mechanisms for the underlying association are then discussed.MethodsA systematic review of the English-language literature using PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases was undertaken up to September 2009. Studies reporting appropriate prevalence data were identified and a meta-analysis performed.ResultsEleven studies were identified. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in studied patients with AAA ranged from 6% to 14%. The prevalence of diabetes in control patients without AAA ranged from 17% to 36%. Pooled analysis suggested a reduced rate of diabetes amongst people with AAA compared to those without (OR 0.65, 0.60–0.70, p