The authors are to be congratulated for carrying out this important
study. I have two questions:
In Tables 2 and 3, the operations for rupture plus the fatal ruptures
without surgery do not add up to the number given under “All ruptures”.
What became of the rest of the ruptures?
In Table 5, the difference in cumulative deaths between the two
randomized groups (2232 vs. 2571) is highly significant (p < 0.0001),
yet this difference disappears after age standarization. Can the authors
explain how this could occur in a randomized population with identical
mean age (72.6 years) and presumably identical age distribution?
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
15 November 2004
Frank A. Lederle, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Center for Epidemiological and Clinical Research, VA Medical Center (111-0), Minneapolis, MN 55417
Rapid Response:
Questions about AAA screening trial
The authors are to be congratulated for carrying out this important
study. I have two questions:
In Tables 2 and 3, the operations for rupture plus the fatal ruptures
without surgery do not add up to the number given under “All ruptures”.
What became of the rest of the ruptures?
In Table 5, the difference in cumulative deaths between the two
randomized groups (2232 vs. 2571) is highly significant (p < 0.0001),
yet this difference disappears after age standarization. Can the authors
explain how this could occur in a randomized population with identical
mean age (72.6 years) and presumably identical age distribution?
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests