Asthma Presentation? Be Wary of Abdominal Aneurysm Rupture

A new study found a significant link between asthma, the use of bronchodilators, and rupture of abdominal aneurysms (AAA). The news underscores the importance of getting a thorough medical and medication history for patients presenting to urgent care with asthma-like symptoms. Researchers noted that asthma patients over age 50, in particular, appear to have an increased risk for AAA and sudden death from its rupture, with the risk going up with recent asthma activity. Further, use of asthma medication was associated with 45% greater risk for AAA in men 65–74 years of age. The authors analyzed data from the nationwide Danish National Registry of Patients on all patients with ruptured AAA and age- and sex-matched AAA controls without rupture in Denmark from 1996 to 2012.