title: Lipoprotein(a) serum levels in diabetic patients with retinopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atherogenic lipoproteins, such as total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, oxidized low density lipoprotein, and triglycerides, are associated with progression of retinopathy. Aim. To evaluate the relationship between lipoprotein(a) and retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 145 diabetic consecutive patients (82 females, 63 males; mean age 66.8 ± 12 years, mean duration of diabetes 9.4 ± 6.8 years). Presence and severity of retinopathy were evaluated. Serum lipid profile, including Lp(a) level, was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High Lp(a) levels have been observed in 54 (78.3%) subjects and normal levels in 13 (18.85%) subjects as regards diabetic patients with retinopathy. Lp(a) levels were high in 15 subjects (21.75%) and normal in 63 subjects (91.35%) as regards patients without retinopathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lp(a) levels are increased in a significant percentage of patients with retinopathy compared to diabetic patients without retinopathy. The impact of Lp(a) levels on diabetic retinopathy needs to be further investigated.
authors.affiliation: International Ph D Program in Neuropharmacology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy. m.malaguarnera@email.it
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gagliano
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bucolo
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vacante
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salomone
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.forename: Daniela Giovanna
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Drago
authors.forename: Teresio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Avitabile
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D017270:Lipoprotein(a)