LIPOPROTEIN (A) IN A RANDOMLY SELECTED 25-64 YEAR-OLD POPULATION - THE NORTHERN SWEDEN MONICA STUDY

Lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)) was determined in 1527 individuals participat ing in the Northern Sweden WHO MONICA project for monitoring of cardio vascular risk factors in the general population. Subjects were randoml y selected and stratified according to sex and age. A weak but signifi cant relation between Lp (a) and increasing age was found in both sexe s (p < 0.01). Menopausal status was the strongest independent predicto r of Lp (a) level in women (p = 0.010). Fibrinogen was independently r elated to Lp (a) in both men and women (p < 0.05). An inverse relation between waist-to-hip ratio and Lp (a) was found in men (p < 0.01). Hy pertensive subjects treated with diuretics had significantly higher Lp (a) than hypertensives on other agents (p < 0.05). Only a minor propo rtion of Lp (a) variance could be explained by lifestyle factors, whic h supports the contention that genetic factors primarily control Lp (a ) level.