Serum lipoprotein(a) and cardiovascular disease in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective - To examine whether lp(a) can explain a) the increased cardiovascular morbidity in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and b) the wide variation in the tendency for such complications to develop in the patients. Design - Cross-sectional study. Setting - General practice in a local community in Norway. Subjects - One hundred and thrirty NIDDM patients and a reference group drawn from a twin study. Main outcome measures - Lp(a), self-reported cardiovascular disease, urinary albumin excretion. Results - The level of lp(a) was equally distributed in our NIDDM population and a reference group. We found no association between lp(a) and self-reported cardiovascular disease and urinary albumin excretion (UAE). Conclusion - Lp(a) cannot explain the increased risk for cardiovascular disease in NIDDM patients, nor can it explain the variation in the tendency for such complications to develop.