The relation between Lp-PLA2 levels with periodic limb movements.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Sleep Medicine
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a marker for vulnerable plaque and a predictor of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
• Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is an acute-phase reactant involved in cardiovascular diseases.
• Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMs) are a sleep disorder with potential links to vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMs) and circulating levels of Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP.
• To determine if PLM index correlates with Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP concentrations.
• To identify Lp-PLA2 as a potential independent predictor of PLM index.

Main Methods:

• Seventy patients with newly diagnosed PLMs underwent polysomnography.
• Patients were stratified into normal (<15) and elevated (≥15) PLM index groups.
• Serum Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP levels were measured and compared between groups; correlation and regression analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• Patients with an elevated PLM index exhibited significantly higher Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP levels compared to the control group (p=0.003 and p=0.02, respectively).
• PLM index showed a positive correlation with both Lp-PLA2 (r=0.40, p=0.001) and hs-CRP (r=0.24, p=0.05).
• Lp-PLA2 emerged as an independent predictor of PLM index in the linear regression model (R²=0.36, p=0.005).

Conclusions:

• An independent linear relationship exists between PLM index and Lp-PLA2 levels.
• Elevated Lp-PLA2 and hs-CRP concentrations are observed in patients with an increased PLM index.
• These findings suggest that patients with PLMs, particularly those with an elevated PLM index, may have an increased risk of vascular events.