Epidemiology
Lp(a) is higher in Japanese coronary disease patients than controls, comparative study of 3,710 (Circ Rep 2026)
Original title: Significance of Lipoprotein(a) in Coronary Artery Disease: A Comparative Study of Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Healthy Individuals
Comparative study of 3,710 individuals at a Japanese hospital (April 2019-March 2024): 724 with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 579 with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) undergoing PCI, and 2,407 controls without ASCVD undergoing check-ups. Median Lp(a) was 13 mg/dL in ACS, 14 mg/dL in CCS, and 10 mg/dL in controls (p<0.001). Lp(a) above 30 mg/dL was present in 19.1% and 26% of the ACS and CCS groups (differing significantly, p<0.05), and above 50 mg/dL in 7.8% and 11.5% respectively. Restricted cubic splines showed continuous associations between Lp(a) and both ACS and CCS, independent of statin use. The authors conclude Lp(a) is higher in coronary disease than in controls, supporting its role as an independent risk marker in a Japanese population.
Original abstract
Background: Lipoprotein(a) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, its distribution based on coronary artery disease (CAD) in the Japanese population remains unclear. We compared lipoprotein(a) distributions among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), and controls.
Methods And Results: We analyzed 3,710 individuals who visited Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital from April 2019 to March 2024. Patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were classified into ACS (n=724) and CCS (n=579) groups. Another 2,407 individuals without ASCVD undergoing medical check-ups were the controls. Lipoprotein(a) levels were measured before PCI or during check-up. Distributions and associations with prevalent CAD were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. The mean ages were 70, 72, and 56 years in the ACS, CCS, and control groups, respectively (P<0.001). Median lipoprotein(a) levels were 13, 14, and 10 mg/dL in the ACS, CCS, and control groups, respectively (P<0.001). Proportions of patients with lipoprotein(a) >30 mg/dL were 19.1% and 26% (P<0.05), and proportions of patients with lipoprotein(a) >50 mg/dL were 7.8% and 11.5% in the ACS and CSS groups, respectively (P<0.05). Restricted cubic splines suggested continuous associations between lipoprotein(a) and prevalent ACS and CCS. Statin use did not affect intergroup differences.
Conclusions: Lipoprotein(a) levels were higher in patients with CAD than in the controls, supporting its role as an independent risk marker.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 17 August 2026. Methods.