Mammography as a Screening Tool for Diabetes

Background This large retrospective study investigates the relationship between breast arterial calcifications (BAC) identified on screening mammography and the presence of DM, thereby evaluating the utility of screening mammography as an additional screening tool for diabetes. Materials and Methods The screening mammograms of 1000 women were prospectively evaluated for BAC; women with a prior history of DM or CAD were excluded. This screening group was compared with all diabetic women who had undergone routine mammographic screening at our institution. The relationship between BAC and DM was statistically evaluated. Results Of the 1000 women prospectively evaluated, we identified 819 women without a history of either DM or CAD. Of these 819 women, mammographic BAC was identified in 86 for a baseline incidence of BAC in our screening population of 10%. We identified 790 diabetic women who had undergone screening mammograms at our institution, and BAC was identified in 288 (36.45%). The incidence of vascular calcifications was significantly higher in the DM group ( P < 0.001) than in the screening group, irrespective of age. Stratifying by age group, we identified a significant relationship between BAC and DM (CMH test P < 0.001). The estimated odds ratio of having diabetes if BAC is present is compared with BAC being absent is 4.5 (95% confidence interval (3.2, 6.1). Conclusions BAC identified on routine screening mammography can identify a group of women at high risk for diabetes. Prospective studies are currently underway at our institution to confirm the utility of screening mammography as a screening tool for diabetes.