Iranian Heart Journal

Iranian Heart Journal

Evaluation of Atherogenic Indices Among Women With Breast Cancer in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Abiodun K Ajeigbe 1
Adeleye Dorcas Omisore 2
Ronke Adunni Makinde 1
Tewogbade Adeoye Adedeji 1
1 Department of Chemical Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University/ Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
2 Department of Radiology, Obafemi Awolowo University/ Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals, Nigeria.
Abstract
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death globally, and its risk among women with breast cancer (BC) is not fully assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk among women with BC using atherogenic indices.
 
Methods: Ninety women were recruited for this cross-sectional study and stratified into BC and controls. Anthropometric measurements were taken, followed by blood collection (5 mL) for lipid profile (TC, TG, LDL-c, and HDL-c) assay. Castelli risk index I and II (CRI-I and CRI-II), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC), Cholindex (CI), and non–HDL-c (NHC) were calculated to estimate cardiovascular risks. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 using the Student t test and the Pearson correlation and presented as mean ± SD. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.
 
Results: Women with BC were significantly younger than controls (51.6 ± 10.3 vs 59.0 ± 12.7 y; P = 0.003) and had significantly lower mean waist circumference (90.5 ± 11.3 vs 96.3 ± 14.9 cm; P = 0.036). The mean serum TG and HDL-c (1.11 ± 0.4 vs 1.36 ± 0.5 mmol/L; P = 0.015 and 1.09 ± 0.4 vs 1.48 ± 0.3 mmol/L; P = 0.000) were significantly lower in the BC group. CRI-I, CRI-II, and AC were significantly higher in the BC group than in the controls (4.83 ± 2.0 vs 3.69 ± 0.9; P = 0.001 and 3.29 ± 1.8 vs 2.24 ± 0.8; P = 0.001 and 3.83 ± 2.0 vs 2.68 ± 0.9; P = 0.000), respectively. A higher proportion (80.4%, 38.3%, and 59.6%) of women with BC had a high risk of cardiovascular disease than controls (69.8%, 9.3%, and 27.9%), respectively, except for NHC.
 
Conclusions: In this study, women with BC had a high risk of cardiovascular disease. Estimating the atherogenic indices of women with BC may be beneficial. (Iranian Heart Journal 2026; 27(2): 27-37)
Keywords
breast cancer
cardiovascular risk
atherogenic indices
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Iranian Heart Journal
Volume 27, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 27-37