Background: Colorectal neoplasm and coronary artery disease share several risk factors. Chronic inflammation has been considered to be associated with the pathogenesis of both conditions.

Aims: To determine the association between coronary artery calcification and occurrence of colorectal adenoma.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 3,184 subjects who underwent colonoscopy and coronary artery calcium CT on the same day, or within a 3-month interval, during routine check-ups conducted between January 2006 and June 2009 at the Center for Health Promotion of the Samsung Medical Center.

Results: Colorectal adenomas were detected in 1,083 of the 3,184 subjects (34.0%), including 545 (39.9%) individuals with and 538 (29.6%) without coronary calcification (p < 0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of coronary artery calcification (odds ratio [OR] 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.54), age >50 years (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.28–1.86), waist circumference of 90–99 cm (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.10–1.84), and current smoking status (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07–1.56), were all independent risk factors for development of colorectal adenoma.

Conclusions: Coronary artery calcium, a marker of coronary artery atherosclerosis, is significantly associated with colorectal adenoma. Further study is needed to establish a common mechanism in development of coronary artery disease and colorectal adenoma. And it may be worthwhile to evaluate the possible role of coronary atherosclerosis as an indicator of future development of colorectal carcinoma.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):A98.

Copyright © American Association for Cancer Research
2011