Introduction - Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has proven to reduce the AAA related mortality rate in a costeffective way [1, 2]. Considerable amount of research has been done about how the knowledge of having an untreated AAA affects health and daily life [1, 3-8] but still there is a need for further clarification. It is asserted that a person with a strong sense of coherence can cope with stress better compared to those with a low sense of coherence [9]. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare psychosocial consequences and sense of coherence in 65-year-old men participating in a national screening program and diagnosed with AAA during a six months follow-up with men with no AAA.

Methods - A single center cohort study including 52 men with AAA and 118 men without AAA was conducted. A questionnaire including Short Form 36 Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Sense of Coherence, questions concerning stress and questions related to AAA was administered within 3 months after screening and after six months. Self-reported information about risk factors and co-morbidity was collected from a general form that all men completed before the screening examination.

Results - Men with AAA reported more problems with physical functioning, pain and general health than those with a normal aorta at baseline. After six months, men with AAA still reported more problems with physical functioning and stress in relation to disease compared to those men with normal aortic diameter. A significant decrease in self-reported physical and emotional function was noticed for men with AAA over time. No differences between groups were noticed in terms of sense of coherence, anxiety and depression. A significantly higher satisfaction with information from the physician and a stronger desire to know and learn about the AAA diagnosis was reported at baseline than at the follow up.

Conclusion - Having knowledge about the AAA diagnosis may moderately impact physical health and perceived stress and could, together with increased prevalence of other cardiovascular diseases, lead to impaired perceived health for men diagnosed with AAA.