Epidemiology
In 1,193 Turkish ASCVD patients, women were eight times more likely than men to have Lp(a) above 90 mg/dL (Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars 2024)
Original title: Assessment of Lipoprotein (a) Levels in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Single Center Experience from Türkiye
This single-centre retrospective study from Turkiye analysed Lp(a) levels in 1,193 consecutive individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Mean Lp(a) was 28.2 mg/dL (median 16 mg/dL, interquartile range 7-39 mg/dL), with a maximum of 326 mg/dL; 18.7% had Lp(a) at or above 50 mg/dL, 10.8% at or above 70 mg/dL, and 5.8% at or above 90 mg/dL. Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in women than men, and the proportion with Lp(a) at or above 90 mg/dL was far higher among women than men (11.4% vs. 1.4%, P < 0.01). Lp(a) also correlated modestly but significantly with total cholesterol (r = 0.075, P = 0.01) and LDL cholesterol (r = 0.106, P < 0.01). This is among the first characterisations of Lp(a) in a Turkish ASCVD population, providing regional reference data given Lp(a)'s known geographic variability, and highlighting a marked sex disparity in extreme Lp(a) elevation.
Original abstract
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the role of elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels as a potential contributor to residual risk in individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Considering that approximately 90% of Lp(a) levels are genetically determined and can vary regionally, we assessed Lp(a) levels in a cohort of ASCVD patients from the Turkish population, where data is currently limited.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data and Lp(a) measurements collected from individuals diagnosed with ASCVD at a single center.
Results: The analysis included Lp(a) levels of 1193 consecutive individuals. The mean Lp(a) level was 28.2 mg/dL, with a median of 16 mg/dL and an interquartile range (IQR) from the 25th to the 75th percentile, 7 mg/dL to 39 mg/dL. The highest recorded Lp(a) level was 326 mg/dL. Among the cases, 18.7% exhibited Lp(a) levels ≥ 50 mg/dL, 10.8% had levels ≥ 70 mg/dL, and 5.8% had levels ≥ 90 mg/dL. The mean levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) were 132 ± 47 mg/dL and 212 ± 54 mg/dL, respectively. Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in females compared to males. Furthermore, the proportion of females with Lp(a) levels ≥ 90 mg/dL was higher than in males (11.4% vs. 1.4%; P < 0.01). Additionally, a modest but significant correlation was observed between Lp(a) levels and TC (r = 0.075, P = 0.01) as well as LDL-C (r = 0.106, P < 0.01).
Conclusion: This study revealed that Lp(a) concentrations were higher in women and statin users among ASCVD patients and identified a weak but significant correlation between Lp(a) levels and both TC and LDL-C.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.