Lipoprotein(a) is a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether serum lipoprotein(a) is a risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in the elderly.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Outpatient diabetic clinic.


METHODS
One hundred four noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients (35 males, 69 females). Twenty-three were less than 60 years of age (middle-aged), and 81 were 60 years or older (elderly).


METHODS
Levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and lipids were measured in fasting serum. HbA1c was also measured as an indicator of diabetic control. Other indicators possibly related to retinopathy were also checked. Retinopathy was estimated by photographs of fundi.


RESULTS
Significantly higher indicators in the group with retinopathy than in the group without were: HbA1c, Lp(a), duration of diabetes, and systolic blood pressure (BP) in the total cases; HbA1c, duration of diabetes, and Lp(a) in the middle-aged; HbA1c, systolic BP, and Lp(a) in the elderly. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only HbA1c and Lp(a) were independent risk factors for retinopathy in all cases and in the elderly. The incidence of retinopathy was positively correlated to serum Lp(a) levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for diabetic retinopathy.
Morisaki
N
N
Second Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan.
Yokote
K
K
Tashiro
J
J
Inadera
H
H
Kobayashi
J
J
Kanzaki
T
T
Saito
Y
Y
Yoshida
S
S
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D017270:Lipoprotein(a)