Differences between coronary artery calcification and aortic artery calcification in relation to cardiovascular disease risk factors in Japanese men

Aims: Calcification in the coronary and aortic arteries has been linked to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiological influence of aortic artery calcification (AAC) differs from that of coronary artery calcification (CAC). We aimed to compare the relationships between CAC and AAC and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods: We examined a random sample of 1035 Japanese men aged 40–79 years. CAC and AAC were measured by computed tomography and scored according to the Agatston method. Using a logistic regression, we calculated the odds ratio (OR) as being in the highest quintile (Q5) of the calcification score compared to the lower quintiles (Q1–Q4) per 1 standard deviation higher CVD risk factor. Models were simultaneously adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, smoking (pack-year), alcohol intake, hemoglobin A1c, uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum lipids, and C-reactive protein. Differences in ORs were investigated using a generalized estimating equation. We performed a multiple linear regression using log-transformed CAC and AAC values as dependent variables. Results: CAC and AAC were independently associated with age (OR, 95% CI: 2.30 [1.77–2.98] for CAC and 3.48 [2.57–4.73] for AAC), p for difference ＜0.001), systolic blood pressure (1.29 [1.08–1.53] and 1.28 [1.07– 1.54], p for difference =0.270), and smoking (1.22, [1.04–1.43] and 1.34 [1.13–1.58]) p for difference =0.071). Alcohol correlated with AAC only (1.17 [0.97–1.41] for CAC and 1.42 [1.16–1.73] for AAC, p for difference = 0.020). Conclusions: CAC and AAC were associated with similar CVD risk factors. The strength of association slightly differed between CAC and AAC.