Association of vascular calcification of breast with carotid intima media thickness

Purpose
To assess the relationship between breast arterial calcification (BAC) on mammography and carotid intima medial thickness (C-IMT) by comparing these patients with healthy control subjects.

Material and methods
The study included 100 women divided into two groups based on presence of BAC on mammo-graphy using the WIPRO GE – DMR PLUS mammography unit. The groups included 50 BAC(+) (case group) and 50 BAC(–) (control group). BAC is defined as two linear calcific deposits forming the rail-road track pattern, with ring-like appearance in cross section. Relevant previous clinical and surgical history was taken and C-IMT was measured using B-mode ultrasonography Aplio XG (Toshiba medical systems corp., Japan) using an 8-13 MHz linear transducer within 1 cm from the proximal and distal portion of the common carotid artery and the mean value was taken.

Results
All the participants included in this study were within the age group of 40-70 years. Mean age with BAC(+) was 59.18 ± 8.59 years and BAC(–) was 50.70 ± 7.93 years. Mean C-IMT in the BAC(+) group was 0.86 ± 0.21 mm vs. 0.71 ± 0.12 mm in the BAC(–) group. Chi-square test, independent t test and Spearman’s rho correlation to assess the association of the breast arterial calcification were performed. The study showed significant difference in mean C-IMT between two groups (p value < 0.001) when correlated with age, diabetes, hypertension, presence of BAC and history of surgery and drug intake.

Conclusions
BAC in mammography is independently associated with C-IMT. Furthermore, apart from age and menopausal status a statistically significant positive correlation with C-IMT was observed.