Additional value of the coronary calcium score to conventional cardiovascular risk factors in predicting significant coronary disease diagnosed by computed tomography angiography in Angola

Abstract

In Angola, coronary artery disease (CAD) has increased in prevalence in recent years. This study aims to evaluate the additional value of the coronary calcium score (CCS) to conventional risk factors (CRF) in predicting the presence of CAD. Results: This study comprises 204 patients. The mean age was 56.46±9.19 years. 123(60.3%) patients are male. The patients with CAD are older (mean age 56.00±9,4 years vs. 59.83±6.8 years, p=0.017), had higher proportion of men [20(83.3%) vs. 103(57.2), p=0.014], diabetes [10(41.7%) vs. 37(20.6%), p=0.021], dyslipidemia [23(95.8%) vs. 108(60.0%], p=0.001) smoking in the past, [9(37.5%) vs 27(15.0%), p=0.007], higher number of risk factors (NRF) (p 0.001), and higher Agatston CCS (p<0.001). A logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effect age CRF, NRF, and CCS on the likelihood that participants have CAD. Based on the Backward conditional method after step 5, we identified that NFR and CCS variables added statistically significantly to the prediction (p<0.05). We identified increasing NFR (B= 0.583, Wald 5.086; OR 1.791: p=0-0024 95%CI =1.07-2.97) and CCS (B= 0.016, Wald 30.951; OR 1.016: p<0.001 95% CI =1.01-1.02) were associated with an increased likelihood of exhibiting significant CAD. Conclusion: The NRF and the CCS proved to be strong predictors of CAD.