Epidemiological Study of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region (Quebec, Canada)

     Jean Mathieu, Louis Pérusse, Pierre Allard, Claude Prévost, Léo Cantin, Jean-Marie Bouchard and Marc DeBraekleer

Abstract:   Background: Using a population-based register of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region (Quebec, Canada), the genealogical reconstruction of 533 individuals with intracranial aneurysm (IA) showed a familial aggregation (the presence of aneurysm in two or more first- to third-degree relatives) for 159 (29.8%) of them; this proportion is much higher than reported elsewhere. Objective: As part of an ongoing project to assess a genetic predisposition to intracranial aneurysms in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean population, the objective of the present study was to determine whether age-specific rates of ruptured cerebral aneurysms were higher than in other populations. Design: A retrospective study of cases of proven ruptured IAs which were hospitalized during the 1973 to 1992 period was conducted. Age-adjusted rates were computed and compared to those reported in the Helsinki population. Results: We identified 412 cases of ruptured aneurysms. The age-adjusted incidence rate was 7.2/100,000/year (6.2 for men, 8.1 for women), which is similar to the incidence rates reported in other studies. Although the mean age at time of rupture was younger (46.6 years ± 13.8) than usually reported, no increase in age-specific incidence rates was detected. Conclusions: The results of this epidemiological study neither support nor reject the hypothesis of a genetic predisposition to intracranial aneurysms in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean population.

Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 1996; 23: 184-188