Purpose: The Rose questionnaire is a standardized method of measuring angina pectoris in general populations. Electron-beam computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive technique to quantify the amount of coronary calcification. In a population-based study, we investigated the association between Rose questionnaire angina pectoris and coronary calcification.
Methods: The Rotterdam Coronary Calcification Study is embedded in the Rotterdam Study, a population-based study in subjects aged > or = 55 years. Participants of the Rotterdam Coronary Calcification Study underwent an electron-beam CT scan between 1997 and 2000. Coronary calcification was quantified in a calcium score according to Agatston's method. Rose questionnaire angina pectoris was assessed during a home interview. The first 2013 participants were included in the present analyses.
Results: In men, the presence of Rose questionnaire angina pectoris was associated with a 12.9-fold (95% confidence interval: 3.8-43.7) increased risk of a calcium score >1000 (reference: calcium score 0-100). The corresponding relative risk in women was 4.8 (2.0-11.3). Similar results were found when we computed sex-specific quartiles of the calcium score.
Conclusions: Rose questionnaire angina pectoris is strongly associated with the amount of coronary calcification. Rose questionnaire angina pectoris corresponds better with the amount of coronary calcification in men than in women.