Prevention & lipidsCohort study
Intra-individual variability in lipoprotein(a) levels: findings from a large academic health system population
- Retrospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Lipoprotein(a) levels were generally stable over time; however, patients with borderline levels may require more than one Lp(a) measurement, especially if they are females, have a history of ASCVD, have elevated LDL-C levels, or are on statin therapy.
Study context
- Population
- Adults (≥18 years) with baseline and follow-up Lp(a) measurements ≥1 year apart (1997–2024), large academic health system
- Participants
- 11,669 adults
- Exposure
- Normal vs Borderline vs High
- Outcome
- Intra-individual Lp(a) variability across time; predictors of intra-individual Lp(a) change ≥10 mg/dL
- Follow-up
- Median 4.5 years between measurements (IQR: 2.2, 10.6)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Remaining in baseline Lp(a) category at follow-up
| Outcome | Normal | Borderline | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remained in category | 96.4% | Not reported in the abstract | 89.9% |
| Changed category | Not reported in the abstract | 51.2% | Not reported in the abstract |
- Median Lp(a) at baseline
- 16 mg/dL (IQR: 7, 52)
- Median Lp(a) at follow-up
- 15 mg/dL (IQR: 7, 52)
- Intra-individual Lp(a) change ≥10 mg/dL
- 24.9%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Predictors of intra-individual Lp(a) change ≥10 mg/dL (multivariable logistic regression)
- Female sex associated with higher odds
- P < 0.001
- History of ASCVD associated with higher odds
- P = 0.003
- Statin therapy associated with higher odds
- P = 0.003
- LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL associated with higher odds
- P < 0.001
Original publication
Intra-individual variability in lipoprotein(a) levels: findings from a large academic health system population. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 24 October 2024. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwae341
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it