Weekly issue 2026-W37 ·
Prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms according to comorbidities, risk factors, country, and time period: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Plain language
A Lancet Neurology review pooled many studies and found unruptured brain aneurysms in about 13% of people with ADPKD who were scanned — roughly four times a reference group without major risk factors (~4%). That supports personalized screening talks with your care team, alongside blood-pressure and smoking control — it is not a call for everyone to get the same scan schedule.
Clinical note
Lancet Neurol SR/MA (316,131 participants; PROSPERO CRD420261296728). Reference UIA prevalence ~3.9%; ADPKD pooled 12.8% (293/1990), adjusted PR 4.4 (95% CI 1.5–12.6). Also elevated with connective-tissue disorders and family history of aSAH/UIA; smoking RR ~1.4, hypertension RR ~1.6. Authors note rising UIA prevalence over time and call for personalized screening research — ADPKD counseling/policy signal, not a universal screening guideline.
Question for your next visit
Given my ADPKD and family history, what are the possible benefits and downsides of checking for a brain aneurysm?