Prevalence of breast arterial calcification in hypertensive patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the age-specific prevalence of breast arterial calcifications in patients with systemic hypertension.


METHODS
The mammograms and patient records of 2406 women who underwent screening or diagnostic mammography were reviewed retrospectively. Mammograms were evaluated for the presence of arterial calcification and results were coded. Hypertension was defined as use of anti-hypertensive agents and diabetes was defined as use of oral hypoglycaemic agents or insulin.


RESULTS
The prevalence of breast arterial calcification among hypertensives (17.6%) was lower than among diabetics (25.4%). The prevalence in the non-diabetic, non-hypertensive group was lowest (7.3%). The prevalence increased with age in all three groups. The highest prevalence was found in diabetics older than 60 years (81.8%). Breast arterial calcification was not found among women younger than 40 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Breast arterial calcification is associated with hypertension and prevalence increases with age. Breast arterial calcification on mammograms may indicate unsuspected hypertension especially in non-diabetic patients.
Cetin
M
M
Department of Radiology, Ankara Oncology Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. muzuncetin@yahoo.com
Cetin
R
R
Tamer
N
N
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D001940:Breast / Q000098:blood supply*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*