The degree of hair graying as an independent risk marker for coronary artery disease, a CT coronary angiography study

Background Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Aging is an unavoidable coronary risk factor and is associated with dermatological signs that could be a marker for increased coronary risk. We tested the hypothesis that hair graying as a visible marker of aging is associated with risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) independent of chronological age. Methods This cross-sectional study included 545 males who underwent a computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) for suspicious of CAD, patients were divided into subgroups according to the percentage of gray/white hairs (Hair Whitening Score, HWS: 1-5) and to the absence or presence of CAD. Results CAD was prevalent in 80% of our studied population, 255 (46.8%) had 3 vessels disease with mean age of 53.2 ± 10.7 yrs. Hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were more prevalent in CAD group (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). Patients with CAD had statistically significant higher HWS (32.1% vs 60.1%, p < 0.001) and significant coronary artery calcification (<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio (OR): 2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): [1.31-4.39], p = 0.004), HWS (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: [1.09-1.57], p = 0.004), hypertension (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: [1.03-2.58], p = 0.036), and dyslipidemia (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: [1.02-2.54], p = 0.038) were independent predictors of the presence of atherosclerotic CAD, and only age (p < 0.001) was significantly associated with HWS. Conclusions Higher HWS was associated with increased coronary artery calcification and risk of CAD independent of chronological age and other established cardiovascular risk factors.