Prevalence and distribution of coronary calcium in asymptomatic Japanese subjects in lung cancer screening computed tomography

Abstract Background Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is associated with a risk of coronary heart disease. The prevalence and distribution of the CAC score have been examined in Western countries, but few studies have been performed in Asia, and especially in Japan. The goal of this study was to investigate CAC scores in an asymptomatic Japanese population. Methods CAC score and risk factors were analyzed in 1834 asymptomatic subjects who underwent lung cancer screening computed tomography. Results CAC was present in 26.9% of all the subjects, 29.8% of the males, and 17.1% of the females. In all age groups, the CAC score was higher in males. In multivariate analysis, male gender [odds ratio (OR) 2.461, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.361–4.452, p = 0.002], aging (OR 1.102, 95% CI 1.081–1.123, p < 0.001), dyslipidemia (OR 1.740, 95% CI 1.216–2.490, p = 0.002), and fasting glucose (OR 1.008, 95% CI 1.002–1.015, p = 0.012) were significantly associated with a CAC score >100. Conclusion The results of this study provide a pattern of CAC distribution based on age and gender in asymptomatic Japanese subjects. This pattern was similar to that in Western countries, although the absolute CAC scores were lower. High CAC scores were associated with male gender, aging, dyslipidemia, and fasting glucose.