title: Lipoprotein(a) and peripheral atherosclerosis in older adults.
abstract: As part of an ancillary study to the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, carotid and lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) were evaluated in 369 subjects, 186 with a systolic blood pressure (SBP) > or = 160 mmHg, and 183 with SBP < 160 mmHg. Both groups had a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 90 mmHg. Internal carotid stenosis was identified by Doppler and LEAD was assessed using the ankle to arm systolic blood pressure ratio, commonly called the ankle/arm index (AAI). Lp(a) values were obtained from frozen sera and values > or = 20 mg/dl were considered elevated. Rates of carotid stenosis were 24% among those with an Lp(a) > or = 20 mg/dl and 14% among those with an Lp(a) level < 20 mg/dl (P = 0.020). The relationship between Lp(a) and LEAD was even stronger. Those with an Lp(a) > or = 20 mg/dl had a 36% prevalence of a low AAI vs 14% among those with a Lp(a) level < 20 mg/dl (P < 0.001). Lp(a) values were also associated with the severity of LEAD. Controlling for other risk factors did not reduce the association between either LEAD or carotid stenosis and an Lp(a) > or = 20 mg/dl. Thus, Lp(a) appears to be independently associated with peripheral atherosclerosis in older adults, both men and women. The relationship is particularly strong for atherosclerotic disease of the lower extremities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sutton-Tyrrell
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meilahn
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Alcorn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D017270:Lipoprotein(a)