In Women, History of Cancer Linked to Subclinical Atherosclerosis

New research presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2024 is making the case that clinicians should consider cancer as a risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis.

Presented by Sara Diaz Saravia, MD, of Mount Sinai Morningside, the study, which was a case-control study of nearly 4000 females in a primary prevention chart, concluded history of cancer acted as an independent and significant predictor for subclinical atherosclerosis.

With a dearth of research surrounding progression of atherosclerotic disease among women, particularly around the effect of cancer on atherosclerotic risk, Diaz Saravia and fellow investigators launched the current study to better elucidate the relationship between cancer and subclinical atherosclerosis among women. With this in mind, investigators designed their research endeavor as a case-control study leveraging data from a primary prevention cohort of 3925 females. Of these, 160 had a history of cancer.

For inclusion in the study, patients needed to be between 35 and 75 years of age. As part of the original study where the cohort was formed, all patients underwent an ultrasound screening of the carotid and iliofemoral territories between September 2020 and September 2023.

Initial analysis of these cohorts revealed there were no significant differences between the cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking history, diabetes, and obesity, in the oncologic population and the nononcologic populations.

In multivariate analysis, results suggested cancer was an independent and significant predictor for subclinical atherosclerosis (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.03; P = .028). Investigators pointed out the test showed an adequate calibration with a Hosmer-Lemeshow Chi2 of 2.46 (P = .7819).

Diaz Savaria has no relevant disclosures to report.

References:

1. S Diaz Saravia, R Mourino, M Rizzo, et al. Cancer as a risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis in female patients. Presented at: European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024. August 30 - September 2, 2024. London, UK.