title: Elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) in psychiatric patients: a possible contribution to increased vascular risk.
abstract: An increased incidence of adverse cardiovascular events has been reported in psychiatric patients, but the exact mechanisms underlying this association are still uncertain. Elevated plasma level of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for atherothrombotic disease in the general population. To study the implications of Lp(a) in psychiatric patients, we measured the plasma levels of Lp(a) in 74 patients with psychiatric disorders (39 schizophrenia, 10 major depression, 13 bipolar disorder and 12 personality disorder) and 74 healthy controls. The Lp(a) levels of the patient groups with schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder were significantly higher than that of the control group. The median Lp(a) value of these diagnostic groups was comparable with those reported in patients with prior atherothrombotic events. On the other hand, no differences were found among personality disorder and controls. Our findings suggest that the elevation of plasma Lp(a) may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in several patients with psychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Clinica Medica 2, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Piazzale Golgi, 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy. lab.genmolcl@smatteo.pv.it
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emanuele
authors.forename: Maria V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Carlin
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peros
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barale
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Geroldi
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Politi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins