Lipoprotein (a) and other risk factors in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
Studies have established a relationship between lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels and cardiovascular disease, but few have studied Lp(a) in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).


METHODS
We determined Lp(a) concentrations, levels of glycated hemoglobin, and the personal and family history of atherosclerosis in 88 patients with NIDDM (53 men and 35 women; age, 33-70 years) and 90 age- and sex-matched controls. Twenty-three patients with NIDDM had cardiovascular disease (CVD group) and 65 did not (non-CVD group).


RESULTS
Lp(a) levels were higher in CVD than non-CVD patients (P < 0.01). Triglyceride levels negatively correlated with Lp(a) (r = -0.51, P < 0.05), independently of the metabolic control of diabetes. Patients with poor metabolic control (glycated hemoglobin > 7.5%) had higher Lp(a) levels than the control group (P < 0.05). Lp(a) levels were higher than 0.30 milligram in 11% of patients without CVD and 55% of those with CVD (P < 0.05). Cluster analysis showed that Lp(a), as well as total cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B100, and age were independently related to CVD in patients with NIDDM (P < 0.001 for triglycerides and P < 0.05 for the other variables).


CONCLUSIONS
Lp(a) levels can be considered an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis in NIDDM.
Department of Clinical Analysis, Dr Peset's Hospital, Valencia, Spain.
M L
ML
Martínez-Triguero
A
A
Salvador
M J
MJ
Samper
M
M
Almela
L
L
Vega
A
A
Mora
V
V
Martínez-Diago
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D017270:Lipoprotein(a)