INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LIPOPROTEIN(A) AND OTHER CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] had been shown to be a strong independent risk factor for ischaemic heart disease. Our aim was to investigate the rel ationships between Lp(a) and other cardiovascular risk factors. 423 ma le miners (age 40 +/- 8 years) were analysed according to the followin g variables: age, arterial blood pressure, alcohol and cigarette consu mption, total cholesterol and Lp(a). Analysis of the data was performe d using the Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman tests. Analysis of variance sh owed statistical differences in Lp(a) levels with cigarette consumptio n (p < 0.02) and age (p < 0.001). No differences with corrected total cholesterol, blood pressure and alcohol consumption were found. Lp(a) and total cholesterol were correlated (p < 0.0001), but after correcti on for the estimated contribution of Lp(a) cholesterol this significan t correlation disappeared. We conclude that male smokers have signific antly lower Lp(a) values than non-smokers and those who quit. Our find ings suggest that cigarette consumption is a probable environmental fa ctor that might influence Lp(a) levels.