title: Mammographic breast density in infertile and parous women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mammographic breast density is a useful marker for breast cancer risk, as breast density is considered one of the strongest breast cancer risk factors. The study objective was to evaluate and compare mammographic breast density in infertile and parous women, as infertility may be associated with high breast density and cancer occurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study evaluated mammographic breast density using two different systems, BIRADS and Boyd. A selected patient population of 151 women with primary infertility (case group) was compared to 154 parous women who had at least one previous pregnancy (control group). Both groups were premenopausal women aged ≥ 35.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evaluation of mammographic features showed that 66.9% of case group patients and 53.9% of control group patients were classified BIRADS-3/BIRADS-4; p < 0.05. Adjusted Odds ratio for the case group in the categories BIRADS-3/BIRADS-4 was 1.78 (95% CI: 1.10-2.89). Using the Boyd classification system, 53.6% of case group patients and 31.8% of control group patients were classified E/F; p < 0.05. Adjusted Odds ratio for case group patients in Boyd categories E/F was 2.05 (95 % CI: 1.07-3.93).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both systems yielded a higher percentage of increased breast density in the case group. Boyd and BIRADS classification systems indicate to what extend breast cancer lesions may be missed on mammography due to masking by dense tissue. Therefore, patients with a high BIRADS or Boyd score should undergo further investigation.
authors: Department of Gynecologic-Obstetrical and Urologic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy. marialetizia.meggiorini@uniroma1.it.
authors: Meggiorini Maria
authors: MM
authors: Letizia
authors: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy.
authors: Vestri Anna
authors: VA
authors: Rita
authors: Department of Gynecologic-Obstetrical and Urologic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy.
authors: De Stefano Maria
authors: SM
authors: Grazia
authors: Department of Radiological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy.
authors: Cipolla
authors: C
authors: Valentina
authors: Department of Gynecologic-Obstetrical and Urologic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy.
authors: Bellati
authors: B
authors: Filippo
authors: Department of Gynecologic-Obstetrical and Urologic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy.
authors: Maffucci
authors: M
authors: Diana
authors: Department of Gynecologic-Obstetrical and Urologic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy.
authors: Nusiner Maria
authors: NM
authors: Paola
authors: Department of Gynecologic-Obstetrical and Urologic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy.
authors: Aragona
authors: A
authors: Cesare
authors: Department of Radiological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 155, Rome, 00161, Italy.
authors: De Felice
authors: F
authors: Carlo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology*; D000071060:Breast Density; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000150:complications*; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors