Increased stroke risk and lipoprotein(a) in a multiethnic community: the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study.
BACKGROUND
Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with ischemic stroke (IS) among Whites, but data is sparse for non-White populations.


OBJECTIVE
Using a population-based case-control study design with subjects from the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study, we assessed whether Lp(a) levels were independently associated with IS risk among Whites, Blacks and Hispanics.


METHODS
Lp(a) levels were measured in 317 IS cases (mean age 69 +/- 13 years; 56% women; 16% Whites, 31% Blacks and 52% Hispanics) and 413 community-based controls, matched by age, race/ethnicity and gender. In-person assessments included demographics, socioeconomic status, presence of vascular risk factors and fasting lipid levels. Logistic regression was used to determine the independent association of Lp(a) and IS. Stratified analyses investigated gender and race/ethnic differences.


RESULTS
Mean Lp(a) levels were greater among cases than controls (46.3 +/- 41.0 vs. 38.9 +/- 38.2 mg/dl; p < 0.01). After adjusting for stroke risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, cigarette smoking), lipid levels, and socioeconomic status, Lp(a) levels > or =30 mg/dl were independently associated with an increased stroke risk in the overall cohort (adjusted odds ratio, OR, 1.8, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.20-2.6; p = 0.004). There was a significant linear dose-response relationship between Lp(a) levels and IS risk. The association between IS risk and Lp(a) > or =30 mg/dl was more pronounced among men (adjusted OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.5; p = 0.02) and among Blacks (adjusted OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.2; p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated Lp(a) levels were significantly and independently associated with increased stroke risk, suggesting that Lp(a) is a risk factor for IS across White, Black and Hispanic race/ethnic groups.
Boden-Albala
Bernadette
B
Department of Neurology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA. bb87@columbia.edu
Kargman
Douglas E
DE
Lin
I-Feng
IF
Paik
Myunghee C
MC
Sacco
Ralph L
RL
Berglund
Lars
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D044383:Black People / Q000208:ethnology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D017270:Lipoprotein(a)