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Research Article: Feasibility and diagnostic validity of abdominal aortic aneurysm screening in Hungarian primary care: a multiregional pilot study

Date Published: 2026-07-17

Abstract:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is often asymptomatic but carries a high risk of mortality if rupture occurs. Several countries have implemented organized national screening programs to enable early detection of AAA, whereas no institutionalized screening program is currently available in Hungary. This multiregional pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and diagnostic validity of AAA screening in Hungarian primary care. Following a structured theoretical and practical ultrasound (US) training program, 11 general practitioners (GPs) participated in a pilot AAA screening program. Screening examinations were performed in routine primary care settings, and all recorded US examinations underwent independent expert validation by two radiologists. A total of 349 examinations were performed in 11 Hungarian primary care practices. Of these, 339 (97.1%) were considered interpretable after expert validation. Among the 339 participants with interpretable examinations, the mean age was 69.5 ± 3.1 years, 97.9% were male, and 22.4% were current smokers. Eight cases of AAA were identified, corresponding to a period prevalence of 2.36% (95% CI 1.02%–4.60%). The mean examination time was 6.6 ± 3.8 min. Agreement between GP-performed US and expert validation was substantial (? = 0.772). Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening in Hungarian primary care appears feasible and shows high agreement with expert review when performed by trained GPs within a structured validation framework.

Introduction:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is often asymptomatic but carries a high risk of mortality if rupture occurs. Several countries have implemented organized national screening programs to enable early detection of AAA, whereas no institutionalized screening program is currently available in Hungary. This multiregional pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and diagnostic validity of AAA screening in Hungarian primary care.

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