The diagnostic efficacy and predictive value of combined lipoprotein laboratory indexes for atherosclerosis

To investigate the diagnostic efficacy and predictive value of combined lipoprotein laboratory indexes for atherosclerosis.

Clinical data of 250 patients with atherosclerosis admitted to Xianning central hospital, China from January 2015 to December 2018 and 80 healthy subjects on physical examination in the same period were analyzed retrospectively. Serological laboratory indices related to lipid metabolism were measured, and their diagnostic efficacy and predictive value for atherosclerosis were evaluated by univariate and multivariate statistical methods.

The levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), small dense low density lipoprotein (sd-LDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) of the atherosclerosis group were significantly higher than those of the healthy group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of LP-PLA2, sd-LDL and hs-CRP were independent factors influencing the occurrence of atherosclerosis (P<0.05). Lp-PLA2 combined with sd-LDL had the largest area under ROC curve, and their diagnostic efficiency was higher than that of single serological laboratory indices. There was no significant difference in the levels of Lp-PLA2 and sd-LDL among different types of atherosclerotic diseases (P<0.05). The levels of LP-PLA2 and sd-LDL in triple-vessel or left main coronary artery disease were significantly higher than those of single- or double-vessel disease (P<0.05). The levels of LP-PLA2 and sd-LDL in double-vessel disease were significantly higher than those of single-vessel disease (P<0.05). The level of serum sd-LDL of atherosclerotic patients with alcohol history were significantly higher than those without alcohol history (P<0.05).

When being used to detect atherosclerosis, Lp-PLA2 combined with sd-LDL has better diagnostic efficacy than separate tests. Meanwhile, there is a correlation between their levels and the severity of disease, which can be used to predict the occurrence of atherosclerosis independently of other risk factors.