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The UK Small Aneurysm Trial suggested that female sex is an independent risk factor for rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This study assessed the effect of sex on the growth rate of AAA.

Between January 1985 and August 2005 all patients who were referred to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with an AAA who were not considered for early aneurysm repair were assessed by serial abdominal ultrasonography. Maximum anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the AAAs were measured.

A total of 1255 patients (824 men and 431 women) were followed up for a median of 30 (range 6–185) months. A median of six examinations (range 2–37) was performed for each patient. Median diameter on initial examination was 41 (range 25–83) mm. Median growth rate overall was 2·79 (range − 4·80–37·02) mm per year …