title: Lipoprotein (a) as a risk factor for ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] harbors atherogenic potential but its role as a risk factor for ischemic stroke remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the relative strength of the association between Lp(a) and ischemic stroke and identify potential subgroup-specific risk differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search using the MeSH terms "lipoproteins" OR "lipoprotein a" AND "stroke" was performed in PubMed and ScienceDirect for case-control studies from June 2006 and prospective cohort studies from April 2009 until December 20th 2014. Data from eligible papers published before these dates were reviewed and extracted from previous meta-analyses. Studies that assessed the relationship between Lp(a) levels and ischemic stroke and reported generic data-i.e. odds ratio [OR], hazard ratio, or risk ratio [RR]-were eligible for inclusion. Studies that not distinguish between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and transient ischemic attack were excluded. Random effects meta-analyses with mixed-effects meta-regression were performed by pooling adjusted OR or RR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 20 articles comprising 90,904 subjects and 5029 stroke events were eligible for the meta-analysis. Comparing high with low Lp(a) levels, the pooled estimated OR was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.26-1.57) for case-control studies (n = 11) and the pooled estimated RR was 1.29 (95% CI, 1.06-1.58) for prospective studies (n = 9). Sex-specific differences in RR were inconsistent between case-control and prospective studies. Study populations with a mean age of ≤55 years had an increased RR compared to older study populations. Reported Lp(a) contrast levels and ischemic stroke subtype significantly contributed to the heterogeneity observed in the analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke and may be especially relevant for young stroke patients. Sex-specific risk differences remain conflicting. Further studies in these subgroups may be warranted.
authors: Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: alexander.nave@charite.de.
authors: Alexander H
authors: AH
authors: Nave
authors: Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
authors: Kristin S
authors: KS
authors: Lange
authors: Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
authors: Christopher O
authors: CO
authors: Leonards
authors: Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
authors: Bob
authors: B
authors: Siegerink
authors: Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany.
authors: Wolfram
authors: W
authors: Doehner
authors: German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany; Department of Cardiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
authors: Ulf
authors: U
authors: Landmesser
authors: Department of Geriatrics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Steinhagen-Thiessen
authors: Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin, Germany.
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Endres
authors: Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Berlin, Germany.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Ebinger
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D017270:Lipoprotein(a)
keywords: Biomarker; Ischemic stroke; Lipoprotein (a); Lipoproteins; Meta-analysis; Risk factor; Systematic review