Testing
Combining Lp(a) with neck circumference improves diagnostic accuracy for coronary heart disease in 791 patients undergoing angiography (Int J Gen Med 2024)
Original title: Clinical Diagnostic Significance of Combined Measurement of Lipoprotein(a) and Neck Circumference in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
In a cross-sectional study of 791 patients undergoing selective coronary angiography for suspected coronary heart disease (CHD) at a Chinese hospital, both high Lp(a) (OR 1.836, 95% CI 1.282-2.630) and high neck circumference (OR 1.383, 95% CI 0.978-1.955) were independent risk factors for CHD. A nomogram combining both markers achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.710 (95% CI 0.670-0.751) with good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow P=0.494), and decision curve and clinical impact curve analyses confirmed its clinical utility. The findings support combined Lp(a) and neck circumference assessment as a practical, low-cost addition to CHD risk diagnosis.
Original abstract
Objective: The study aimed to explore the clinical diagnostic significance of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and neck circumference (NC) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Chengde Central Hospital from September 2021 to June 2023, enrolling 791 patients with suspected CHD who underwent selective coronary angiography (CAG). Patients were categorized into CHD and non-CHD groups based on the severity of arterial narrowing. Subsequently, the diagnostic value of Lp(a) combined with NC in patients with CHD was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Based on the results of multivariate logistic regression, a nomogram was constructed, and its clinical applicability was validated using decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC).
Results: Multivariate logistic regression proved that high Lp(a) and high NC are risk factors for CHD, with OR of 1.836 (95% CI: 1.282-2.630) and 1.383 (1.0.978-1.955), respectively. Patients in the high NC or Lp(a) group exhibited a higher prevalence of multi-vessel disease. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the predictive model combining high Lp(a) and high NC was 0.710 (95% CI: 0.670-0.751) and also demonstrated good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test P value=0.494). The DCA and CIC confirmed the clinical utility of the nomogram developed to predict CHD based on the combination of high Lp(a) and high NC.
Conclusion: The levels of Lp(a) and NC exhibit a significant correlation with the presence of CHD, and their combined assessment holds specific clinical value in the diagnosis of CHD.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.