PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Maha Al-Mohaissen
AU  - Arwa Alkhedeiri
AU  - Ohoud Al-Madani
AU  - Terry Lee
AU  - Anas Hamdoun
AU  - Mohammad Al-Harbi
TI  - Association of mammographic density and benign breast calcifications individually or combined with hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia in women ≥40 years of age: a retrospective study
AID  - 10.1136/jim-2021-002296
DP  - 2022 Jun 01
TA  - Journal of Investigative Medicine
PG  - 1308--1315
VI  - 70
IP  - 5
4099  - http://hw-f5-jim.highwire.org/content/70/5/1308.short
4100  - http://hw-f5-jim.highwire.org/content/70/5/1308.full
SO  - J Investig Med2022 Jun 01; 70
AB  - Recent evidence has linked certain mammographic characteristics, including breast calcifications (Bcs) and mammographic density (MD), with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors in women, but data are limited and inconsistent. We aimed to evaluate the association of MD and/or Bcs with hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia in women ≥40 years of age. Through hospital electronic records, we retrospectively identified mammograms of non-pregnant women aged ≥40 years and without breast cancer and retrieved reports and relevant data. MD and Bcs were recorded; risk factor status was diagnosed based on treatment profile and clinical and laboratory data. In total, 1406 women were included. MD was inversely related to hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, triglyceride levels, age, and body mass index (BMI) (p value for trend <0.001). Bcs were positively associated with hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, age, BMI, and elevated creatinine (p<0.05). Controlling for age and BMI, MD category A (MD-A) was independently associated with hypercholesterolemia; Bcs were independently associated with diabetes. Combining MD-A with Bcs did not increase the odds significantly. Analysis for additive interactions revealed a significant interaction between MD-A and BMI, increasing the odds of hypertension, and a trend for increased odds of diabetes by adding MD-A and/or Bcs to BMI. Decreased MD and presence of Bcs are associated with hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia in women ≥40 years of age. MD-A may represent a new obesity index independently associated with hypercholesterolemia and additive to hypertension risk. Bcs are independently associated with diabetes. Combining MD and Bcs did not improve the odds significantly, which may reflect mechanistic differences.Data are available upon reasonable request, and approval of the IRB at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.