Beyond traditional lipid markers: why lipoprotein(a) screening matters

Aim: To assess the correlation between lipoprotein(a) levels and traditional lipid profile markers in statin-naive men and women without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven statin-naive adult patients without a prior history of established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were included in the study. Lipoprotein(a) levels were determined using nephelometry in all patients.

Results: According to the results of the correlation analysis, it was found that there is no statistically significant correlation between lipoprotein(a) level and traditional parametres of lipid profile in both groups (p>0.05). Reliable direct correlation of moderate strength was observed between lipoprotein(a) and age in the group A (R=0.46, p=0.04).

Conclusions: Elevated lipoprotein(a) levels, independent of other lipid profile parameters, can significantly contribute to cardiovascular risk, emphasizing the importance of routine lipoprotein(a) screening in clinical practice. It is particularly noteworthy that lipoprotein(a) concentrations tend to increase after menopause, potentially placing postmenopausal women at an elevated risk for cardiovascular events. Consequently, it is imperative to monitor lipoprotein(a) levels in females, especially during the peri-menopausal and postmenopausal stages, to more accurately assess and manage cardiovascular risk in this population.