Vascular calcifications on screening mammography identify women with increased risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes

Background Mammographic breast arterial calcifications (BAC) have been reported in women with diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD). This prospective study further investigates the clinical significance of BAC, CAD, and diabetes. Methods Women undergoing screening mammography were prospectively evaluated for mammographic BAC. The association among BAC, CAD, and diabetes was statistically evaluated. Results Of 1,000 consecutive women undergoing screening mammography, 181 had a history of CAD and/or diabetes. Of those women without diabetes or heart disease, 86 of 819 (10.5%) had BAC. One hundred forty women had diabetes, of whom 57 (40.7%) had BAC, and 72 women had CAD, of whom 36 (50%) had BAC. The association among BAC, CAD, and diabetes was highly significant (P <.0001, 95% confidence interval [CI]). The odds ratio of having diabetes or CAD with BAC is 4.3 and 3.6 times greater than the odds of having these diseases without BAC. Comments This large prospective study indicated a significant association between BAC identified on screening mammography and a personal history of CAD and diabetes, indicating that screening mammography may identify women at increased risk for these diseases.