Assessing the Correlation between Allostatic Load and False-Positive Image-Guided Breast Biopsies

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Pathology
• Stress Physiology

Background:

• Allostatic load (AL) quantifies physiological dysregulation from chronic stress.
• Predictive markers for high-risk benign breast biopsy pathology are clinically significant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate allostatic load as a prognostic indicator for high-risk benign breast biopsy results.
• To determine the association between pre-biopsy allostatic load and pathology outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 170 women with false-positive breast biopsies was analyzed.
• Allostatic load was calculated using 12 biomarkers across cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and immune systems.
• Multivariable logistic regression assessed the link between AL and high-risk pathology, controlling for sociodemographics.

Main Results:

• A 37% increased probability of high-risk pathology was observed for each unit increase in allostatic load (OR, 1.37; P=0.03).
• No significant associations were found between high-risk pathology and age, ethnicity, breast cancer risk score, or area deprivation index.
• High-risk pathologies included radial scar, atypical hyperplasia, and lobular carcinoma in situ.

Conclusions:

• Elevated allostatic load is associated with high-risk benign breast biopsy findings.
• Allostatic load serves as a potential biological marker for stress-related pathology in breast biopsies.
• Further research can explore incorporating allostatic load into risk stratification for breast lesions.