Gender and age differences in the prevalence of coronary artery calcification in 953 Chinese subjects

BACKGROUND: To investigate gender and age differences in coronary artery calcium (CAC) as determined by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) in a Chinese population. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing EBCT were subdivided into groups based on gender and decades of life. They were further subdivided into three groups with respect to symptoms of coronary artery disease: typical, atypical and asymptomatic. Total calcium score was calculated for each patient and means calculated for each subgroup. Groups were then compared with respect to age, gender and symptoms. RESULTS: During the study period, 953 patients (736 men and 217 female) aged 17-86 years (mean 55+/-11 years) underwent EBCT. The prevalence of CAC increased significantly with increasing age. The mean total calcium score also increased with increasing age in males and females of each symptom subgroup. The prevalence of coronary artery calcification was significantly higher in males than females until age in excess of 69 years (p<0.05). The prevalence of coronary artery calcification and mean calcium scores were significantly different between each symptom subgroup (p<0.001) with higher scores and prevalence in patients with typical symptoms of coronary disease. CONCLUSIONS: There is an increase in the prevalence of coronary artery calcification with age in Chinese subjects. Male subjects are more likely than female subjects to have detectable coronary calcification up until an age in excess of 69 years. Patients under the age of 70 years, with typical symptoms of coronary artery disease have a higher prevalence and mean calcium score than those with atypical or no symptoms.