PLASMA LIPOPROTEIN(A) DISTRIBUTION IN THE FRAMINGHAM OFFSPRING STUDY AS DETERMINED WITH A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE IMMUNOTURBIDIMETRIC ASSAY

The purpose of our research was to evaluate a commercially available, automated, immunoturbidimetric assay for lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), to de termine the distribution of Lp(a) in the Framingham Offspring Study po pulation, and to determine Lp(a) levels that may be useful for assessi ng coronary heart disease risk. The mean between-run coefficient of va riation for this assay was 5.65%. Lp(a) concentration was slightly, bu t significantly, higher in 1949 white women (mean +/- S,D. 214 +/- 195 mg/l, median 150 mg/l) than in 1884 white men (mean +/- S.D, 200 +/- 193 mg/l, median 130 mg/l) participating in Cycle 4 of the Framingham Offspring Study (P = 0.0015). Lp(a) values of 300 mg/l and 500 mg/l co rresponded to approximately the 75th and 90th percentiles, respectivel y, for both men and women, and subjects with concentrations greater th an or equal to 500 mg/l were more likely to have coronary heart diseas e than subjects with an Lp(a) concentration less than 300 mg/l (P < 0. 05 for men).