Characteristics of study participants
| Characteristics | mean±SD or n (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| CT 2002–2005 (N=2945) | CT 2008–2011 (N=2383) | |
| Age at CT scan (years) | 52.6±11.8 | 59.6±12.0 |
| Male sex, % | 1506 (51) | 1165 (49) |
| Offspring, % | 1201 (41) | 1155 (48) |
| Education (years) | ||
| Some college | 954 (32) | 771 (32) |
| College graduate | 1301 (44) | 1063 (45) |
| Median census value owner-occupied housing, $ | 221 976±100 340 | 222 381±102 327 |
| Current smokers, % | 381 (13) | 179 (8) |
| Former smokers, % | 1109 (38) | 1027 (43) |
| Pack-years | ||
| Current smokers | 30.5±14.4 | 33.5±15.7 |
| Former smokers | 17.5±17.9 | 17.5±17.1 |
| Alcohol (average drinks per week) | 4.9±7.3 | 4.6±7.3 |
| Physical Activity Index | 37.6±7.4 | 36.1±6.3 |
| Menstrual periods stopped*, % | 761 (53) | 936 (77) |
| Diabetes history, % | 168 (6) | 223 (9) |
| Clinically apparent CVD at CT scan, % | 216 (7) | 221 (9) |
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | 27.8±5.3 | 28.5±5.3 |
| Hypertension medications, % | 590 (20) | 891 (37) |
| Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | 122±16 | 123±16 |
| Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | 76±9 | 74±9 |
| Lipid medications, % | 438 (15) | 957 (40) |
| Triglycerides (mg/dL) | 129±92 | 118±79 |
| Total cholesterol/HDL | 4.0±1.3 | 3.5±1.1 |
| 10-year predicted risk of CVD†, % | 0.05±0.07 | 0.07±0.09 |
| MDCT scan results | ||
| TAC>0, % | 716 (25) | N/A |
| TAC, among those with TAC>0‡ | 156.6 (712.8) | N/A |
| AAC>0, % | 1608 (55) | 1604 (67) |
| AAC, among those with AAC>0‡ | 464.6 (2066.8) | 745.5 (3107.0) |
*Among women.
†American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2013 10-year predicted risk of atherosclerotic CVD; Median, IQR.58
‡Median, IQR.
Data calculated from 5328 observations, from 3506 participants with a TAC measurement or at least one AAC measurement. Number of missing observations: TAC: 45; AAC: 16; alcohol: 4; physical activity index: 47; diastolic blood pressure: 4; triglycerides: 10; total cholesterol/HDL: 15; 10-year predicted CVD risk: 1223.
AAC, abdominal aortic calcium Agatston score; CVD, cardiovascular disease; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; MDCT, multidetector CT; TAC, thoracic aortic calcium Agatston score.