ASSOCIATION OF BREAST VASCULAR CALCIFICATIONS AT MAMMOGRAPHY WITH GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT PATHOLOGY

Abstract. Introduction. Calcium deposits in the breast vessels can be related to the calcium absorption disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. Aim is to assess the association of the gastrointestinal pathology risk in women with breast vascular calcifications found at mammography. Materials and Methods. We included 193 patients examined using mammography in 2018. They were then followed up to the year 2023 and divided into two groups: No-calcification group and detectable-calcification group. Gastrointestinal pathology was registered in patient medical records. Results and Discussion. In 2018, 66 (34.2%) patients had breast vascular calcifications. In the detectable-calcification group, the nonspecific intestinal motility disorders were observed two times more frequently compared to the no-calcification group (relative risk [RR]: 2.34; 95%, confidence interval [CL]: 1.04 – 5.38; p=0.037). On the contrary, in the no-calcification group the rate of both esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux was 4 timed higher than in the detectable-calcification group (RR: 4.29; 95%, CI: 0.95 – 19.34, p=0.041). At the end of the follow-up, the gallbladder stones were found approximately 2 times more frequently in the detectable-calcification group (ОР=2.22; 95%, CI: 1.15 – 4.3; p=0.017). Conclusions. The detectable breast vascular calcifications were associated with the higher gallbladder stones risk during subsequent 6 years (RR: 4.8; 95%, CI: 1.55 – 14.92; р=0.003) compared to the no-calcification group (4.7% versus 19.2%). At the same time, we found no association of the detectable breast vascular calcifications with the risk of hepatic steatosis / nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, gastritis, gastro-duodenitis, hiatal hernia, or pancreatitis.