LIPOPROTEIN(A) AS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR DIABETIC-RETINOPATHYIN MALE-PATIENTS IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

Relationship of the lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentration as a risk fac tor independent of other factors with the severity of diabetic retinop athy were evaluated by multiple regression analysis. The subjects mere 158 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Mu ltiple regression analysis was carried with the severity of diabetic r etinopathy as the dependent variable and 13 independent variables, nam ely the Lp(a) concentration, sex, age, body mass index, duration of di abetes, ischemic heart disease, fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated h emoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprote in cholesterol, anti-diabetic treatments, and diabetic nephropathy. Th e analysis was performed separately in all subjects, males only, and f emales only. The standard partial regression coefficient of Lp(a) was significant (0.293, p<0.01), and the multiple correlation coefficient was 0.611 in the males. However, the standard partial correlation coef ficient of Lp(a) was not significant in all patients and in females on ly. The rank of contribution of Lp(a) to retinopathy was the third in males, following triglyceride and nephropathy and followed by anti-dia betic treatments. These results suggest that Lp(a) might be an indepen dent risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in male patients with NIDDM.