LACK OF ASSOCIATION OF LIPOPROTEIN (A) WITH CORONARY HEART-DISEASE INSPANIARD TYPE-2 DIABETIC-PATIENTS

We tried to elucidate the possible relationship between lipoprotein (a ) levels and coronary heart disease by assessing the presence of lipop rotein (a) covariates in NIDDM. We selected 41 type 2 diabetic patient s with coronary heart disease and 82 type 2 diabetic patients free fro m cardiovascular disease. They were adjusted for age, sex and duration of diabetes. Routine chemical analysis was carried out using standard procedures, HbA(1c) by HPLC and lipoprotein (a) and urinary albumin e xcretion rate by immunonephelometry. No difference has been found in l ipoprotein (a) levels between both groups of patients (18 [144.25] mg/ dl in cases vs. 23 [197.25] mg/dl in controls (median [range]), Mann-W hitney U-test, P > 0.1). No association has been found between coronar y heart disease and lipoprotein (a) levels greater than 30 mg/dl (Pear son's chi(2), P > 0.1). Significant and independent linear relationshi ps have been found between the square root of lipoprotein (a) levels, serum creatinine and total cholesterol (multiple r(2): 0.15, P < 0.001 ). Patients treated with insulin had greater square root of lipoprotei n (a) levels, even after adjusting for serum creatinine and total chol esterol (5.87 +/- 0.35 vs. 4.76 +/- 0.36 (mean +/- S.E.), ANCOVA, P < 0.05). These data do not show an association between symptomatic coron ary heart disease and lipoprotein (a) in NIDDM. Significant and indepe ndent relationships have been found between this variable and serum cr eatinine, total cholesterol and insulin therapy. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd.