[Lp(a) serum concentrations in diabetes mellitus]

Lp(a) has been considered as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, mainly for coronary heart disease. Recent epidemiologic studies have demonstrated elevation of Lp(a) serum concentration in diabetes mellitus. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of death in diabetic patients, but there is little information available concerning the importance of Lp(a) in these patients. We investigated the relationship between Lp(a) serum concentration and the presence of chronic diabetic complications. Lp(a) was determined in 14 IDDM patients and 62 NIDDM patients. Median Lp(a) serum concentration in diabetics was 21.8 mg/dl, which was significantly higher than in nondiabetic controls described before. Glucose, HbA1c, fructosamine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, B and E were not associated with raised Lp(a) values. With increasing Lp(a) levels, higher prevalences of retinopathy and of albuminuria were observed. We conclude that in diabetic patients, Lp(a) levels are elevated compared with non-diabetic subjects, and that higher Lp(a) levels are associated with higher prevalences of retinopathy and of albuminuria.