Breast arterial calcifications (BACs) are common findings on mammograms. There are calcium deposits in the media layer of the peripheral arterioles and this condition is called M?nckeberg medial// calcific sclerosis or medial arterial calcification. Many groups have reported the association of BAC with diabetes and cardiovascular risk, but there are few reports related to BAC and hypertension. A recent study, published in Volume 18 (6) of Journal of Diabetes and its Complications was conducted with the aim to investigate the relationship between BAC and systemic hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM).

For the study conducted in Turkey, mammograms and patient records of 2406 women who were screened for breast cancer or had undergone diagnostic mammography were reviewed retrospectively. Mammograms were evaluated for the presence of arterial calcification and results were coded. Patients who had been using insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents were included in the diabetic group; patients who had been using antihypertensive agents were included in the hypertensive group. Diabetes was defined as use of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin and hypertension was defined as use of antihypertensive agents.

The prevalence of BACs among diabetics (25.4) was higher than among hypertensives (17.6%). The prevalence in the nondiabetic, nonhypertensive (NDNH) group was lowest (7.3%). The prevalence increased with age. BAC was seen almost four times more in diabetic patients and three times more in hypertensive patients than in NDNH controls.

Findings from this study suggest that there might be a potential relationship between the BAC and the duration of the diseases. The authors stress that it is not known whether appropriate treatment for diabetes or hypertension decreases the prevalence of BAC. If the treatment decreases the prevalence of BAC, mammograms may play a role in the follow-up of antidiabetic and antihypertensive therapy. Because breast
'"/>




Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. New CPR Guidelines issued by Heart Association
2. Association of depression and diabetes
3. Endometriosis And Its Association With Migraine
4. Association of maternal and granny’s smoking on children’s asthma provd
5. Association between childhood diet and stroke
6. US Doctors Association Gives away $110,000 To NGO’
7. Indian Olympic Association And UNICEF To Collaborate On HIV/AIDS Awareness
8. Homecare Association Highlights Cost-Effectiveness of Medicare and Medicaid
9. Canadian Medical Association Journals Editorial Mess Gets Murkier
10. Future of Canadian Medical Association Journal Threatened
11. Indian Medical Association To Train Doctors About HIV/AIDS