Lipoprotein(a) distribution and its association with carotid arteriopathy in the Chinese population

• Published in: Atherosclerosis Vol. 372; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Authors: Lin, Lijin, Deng, Ke-Qiong, Chen, Ze, Lei, Fang, Qin, Juan-Juan, Huang, Xuewei, Sun, Tao, Zhang, Xingyuan, Hu, Yingying, Zhang, Peng, Ji, Yan-Xiao, Zhang, Xiao-Jing, She, Zhi-Gang, Lu, Zhibing, Cai, Jingjing, Li, Hongliang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01-05-2023
• Subjects: Adult; Carotid arteriopathy; Carotid Artery Diseases - epidemiology; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Carotid plaque; Cross-Sectional Studies; Distribution; East Asian People; Female; Humans; Lipoprotein(a); Plaque, Atherosclerotic - complications; Risk Factors; Lipoprotein(a); Carotid plaque; Carotid arteriopathy; Risk factors; Distribution; Carotid intima-media thickness
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.03.007

The distribution of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has not been well-studied in a large population in China. The relationship between Lp(a) and carotid atherosclerosis remains undefined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the distribution of Lp(a) levels and to assess their association with carotid arteriopathy in China.
In this cross-sectional study, 411,634 adults with Lp(a) measurements from 22 health check-up centers were used to investigate Lp(a) distribution in China. Among participants with Lp(a) data, carotid ultrasound was performed routinely at seven health check-up centers covering 75,305 subjects. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque were used as surrogate biomarkers of carotid arteriopathy. The multivariate logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the association of increased Lp(a) levels with carotid arteriopathy.
The distribution of Lp(a) concentrations was right-skewed, with a median concentration of 10.60 mg/dL. The proportions of Lp(a) levels ≥30 mg/dL and ≥50 mg/dL were 16.75% and 7.10%, respectively. The median Lp(a) level was higher in females individuals in northern China, and increased with age. Spearman's analysis revealed weak correlations between the Lp(a) concentration as a continuous variable and other lipid profiles. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that participants with Lp(a) levels ≥50 mg/dL had an increased risk of cIMT ≥1.0 mm (OR = 1.138, 95% CI, 1.071–1.208) and carotid plaque (OR = 1.296, 95% CI, 1.219–1.377) compared with those with Lp(a) levels <50 mg/dL.
This is the first study of the Lp(a) distribution in a large population in China. Our findings revealed a positive association between elevated Lp(a) levels (≥50 mg/dL) and increased prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis, which implies an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the future.
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•Lp(a) distribution is evaluated for the first time in large-scale Chinese adults.•Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL is associated with carotid arteriopathy in a health check-up population.•The association between Lp(a) and arteriopathy is independent of LDL-C.