Association between Lp (a) and atherosclerosis in menopausal women without metabolic syndrome

• Published in: Biomarkers in medicine Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 397 - 402
• Main Authors: Gentile, Marco, Iannuzzo, Gabriella, Mattiello, Amalia, Marotta, Gennaro, Iannuzzi, Arcangelo, Panico, Salvatore, Rubba, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Future Medicine Ltd 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Aged; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - complications; Atherosclerosis - diagnosis; Blood Glucose - analysis; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; cardiovascular risk; Carotid arteries; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, LDL - blood; Diabetes; Enzymes; Female; Glucose; Humans; Immunoassay; Insulin resistance; Lipoprotein(a) - analysis; Low density lipoprotein; Lp (a); Menopause; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - complications; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Overweight; Regression analysis; Risk assessment; Risk Factors; Statistical analysis; Triglycerides; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasound; Variables; Veins & arteries; Waist Circumference; women; Womens health; Italy; Sweden; atherosclerosis; metabolic syndrome; cardiovascular risk; Lp (a); ultrasound; women
• ISSN: 1752-0363; 1752-0371
• DOI: 10.2217/bmm.16.4

The association between Lipoprotein (a) (Lp [a]) and common carotid intima media thickness (IMT) has been evaluated in 222 menopausal women. Lp (a) and IMT were measured, carotid ultrasound examination (B-Mode imaging) was performed and mean max IMT was calculated. Lp (a) was significantly lower in women with metabolic syndrome (MS). In a multivariate analysis Lp (a) showed the following odds ratio (OR; all p < 0.05) of having common carotid IMT (≥1.30 mm): 1.03, adjusted for age, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and waist circumference; 1.02, adjusted for age LDL, homeostatic assessment model (HOMA). In women without MS, after controlling for age, LDL and waist circumference, we found the following OR for increased IMT (≥1.30; OR: 1.03; for Lp [a]); 1.02 adjusted for age, LDL and HOMA (all p < 0.05). In women with MS these relationships were not statistically significant. Lp (a) gives additional information in the risk assessment for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, especially in menopausal women without MS.