Why the study?
Does abdominal palpation accurately detect abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients not previously known to have AAA?
Population
Patients not previously known to have abdominal aortic aneurysm who were screened with both abdominal…
Comparison
Abdominal palpation to detect abnormal widening… vs Ultrasound (reference standard)
Design
Meta-analysis
Key result
Abdominal palpation has moderate sensitivity for detecting AAA, ranging from 29% for 3.0-3.9 cm to 76% for ≥5.0 cm (P<.001), but cannot be relied on to exclude AAA.
Authors
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Abdominal palpation cannot exclude AAA; confirms imaging necessity and strengthens guideline caution against physical exam reliance.
Meta-Analysis
Does abdominal palpation accurately detect abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients not previously known to have AAA?
Effect estimate: Positive LR 12.0 (95% CI 7.4-19.5)
p-value: p=<.001
Abdominal palpation has moderate sensitivity for detecting large AAAs but cannot reliably exclude AAA, especially if rupture is suspected.
Frank A. Lederle (1999) conducted a meta-analysis in Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Abdominal palpation vs. Ultrasound was evaluated on Sensitivity and likelihood ratios of abdominal palpation for detecting AAA (Positive LR 12.0, 95% CI 7.4-19.5, p=<.001). Abdominal palpation has moderate sensitivity for detecting AAA, ranging from 29% for 3.0-3.9 cm to 76% for ≥5.0 cm (P<.001), but cannot be relied on to exclude AAA.