During a 24-month period, 402 patients were enrolled. Patients with acute coronary syndrome or a history of myocardial infarction were excluded and 254 patients were left for data analysis (Table 1). Of these, 123 (48%) patients had obstructive CAD on CCA. CTCS ranged from 0 to 3,839 with a median of 4 for patients without obstructive CAD and a median of 337 for patients with obstructive CAD. Of 131 patients without obstructive CAD, 44 (33.6%) patients had no coronary calcification; whereas of 123 patients diagnosed with obstructive CAD, 3 (2.4%) patients did not have any coronary calcification.
Table 1 Patient characteristics
Total (n = 254) no. Patients without CAD (n = 131) no. Patients with CAD (n = 123) no.  p value
Mean age (SD) 59 (11) 56 (12) 62 (10) <0.001
Male sex (%) 171 (67%) 78 (60%) 93 (76%) 0.01
Typical chest pain (%) 118 (46%) 33 (25%) 85 (69%) < 0.001
Mean BMIa (SD) 27 (4) 27 (4) 28 (5) 0.11
Smokingb (%) 63 (25%) 30 (23%) 33 (27%) 0.47
Hypertension (%) 140 (55%) 59 (45%) 81 (66%) <0.001
Dyslipidaemiac (%) 136 (54%) 47 (36%) 89 (72%) <0.001
Diabetesd (%) 32 (13%) 10 (8%) 22 (18%) 0.01
Family history (%) 126 (50%) 57 (44%) 69 (56%) 0.05
Mean calcium scoree (SD) 346 (572) 132 (320) 574 (685) <0.001
Median calcium score 138 4 337 –
CADf on CCA (%) 123 (48%) 0 (0%) 123 (100%)
CAD obstructive coronary artery disease, CCA conventional coronary angiography, SD standard deviation
aBody Mass Index, defined as weight/height2 (in kg/m2)
bPast or current
cSerum cholesterol >200 mg/dL or 5.18 mmol/L
dPlasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL or 7.0 mmol
eMeasured according to Agatston [15]
fDefined as ≥50% stenosis in at least one vessel