Lp(a) is not related to retinopathy in diabetic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between Lp(a) concentrations and the severity of retinopathy in 22 younger-onset and 48 older-onset diabetic subjects from the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy (WESDR), a population-based study of diabetic retinopathy.


METHODS
We used a subset of the WESDR population with standardized protocols and stereoscopic color fundus photography to determine the severity of diabetic retinopathy in relation to Lp(a) concentrations. Lp(a) concentrations were measured by a monoclonal anti-Lp(a) antibody.


RESULTS
Lp(a) levels were not significantly different between younger-onset or older-onset subjects with and without retinopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results do not support a link between higher levels of Lp(a) and severe retinopathy in either younger-onset or older-onset diabetic subjects but this needs confirmation in larger prospective studies.
Haffner
S M
SM
Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio Department of Medicine, USA.
Klein
B E
BE
Moss
S E
SE
Klein
R
R
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology
D003404:Creatinine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D017270:Lipoprotein(a)