Epidemiology
Living with HIV is not independently linked to elevated Lp(a), Copenhagen study of 789 people with HIV and 3,156 controls finds (AIDS 2026)
Original title: Plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) in persons with HIV compared to the general population
This Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV infection (COCOMO) study compared 789 people with HIV, matched on sex and age, to 3,156 controls from the Copenhagen general population study, testing whether chronic HIV infection is associated with elevated lipoprotein(a) (defined as above 50 mg/dL) as seen in other chronic inflammatory diseases. Living with HIV was not independently associated with high Lp(a) (adjusted OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.80-1.21, P = 0.88), and none of the examined clinical or demographic factors, including age, sex, diabetes, statin therapy, cholesterol, renal function or HIV-specific risk factors, were significantly associated with elevated Lp(a) either. A well-powered null result from an experienced Danish cardiovascular genetics group, arguing against HIV-specific inflammation as a driver of Lp(a) elevation.
Original abstract
Objective: Elevated lipoprotein(a) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and previous research suggests that lipoprotein(a) levels are higher in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. Knowledge about lipoprotein(a) in persons with HIV (PWH) is sparse. We aimed to assess if living with HIV is associated with high levels of lipoprotein(a).
Methods: From the Copenhagen Comorbidity in HIV infection (COCOMO) study, we included 789 PWH matched on sex and age with 3156 controls from the Copenhagen general population study. All participants underwent uniform physical examinations, blood sampling and responded to questionnaires regarding lifestyle and health. Lipoprotein(a) was measured using isoform-insensitive immunoturbidimetric assays. High levels of lipoprotein(a) were defined as plasma levels >50 mg/dl.
Results: Living with HIV was not associated with high levels of lipoprotein(a) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.98 [95% CI: 0.80 to 1.21], P = 0.88]. Furthermore, none of the examined clinical and demographic factors - including age, sex, diabetes, statin therapy, cholesterol levels, renal function and HIV specific risk factors were significantly associated with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels as well as and none of the examined clinical or demographic risk factors were found to be significantly associated with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels.
Conclusion: In this study, living with HIV was not independently associated with high levels of lipoprotein(a) and none of the examined clinical or demographic risk factors were found to be significantly associated with elevated lipoprotein(a) levels.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.