Lipoprotein(a), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and risk of incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in individuals without standard modifiable risk factors
Authors' conclusion
In SMuRF-less individuals, Lp(a) and hsCRP independently predict ASCVD risk.
Study context
- Population
- SMuRF-less UK Biobank participants free of CVD at baseline (no current smoking, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia or diabetes)1,104 (2.2%) ASCVD events
- Participants
- 50,450 participants
- Exposure
- Elevated vs non-elevated Lp and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)
- Outcome
- Incident ASCVD (nonfatal MI, nonfatal ischemic stroke or CV death)
- Follow-up
- 15 years
Methodological detailsUK Biobank, Fine-Gray competing-risk regression
- UK Biobank
- Fine-Gray competing-risk regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Incident ASCVD · 15 years
Subdistribution hazard ratio (95% CI)
Elevated hsCRPcohort-specific cutoffs
1.35(1.16–1.57)
Elevated Lp(a)cohort-specific cutoffs
1.24(1.06–1.45)
Concurrent elevationsjoint analysis, cohort-specific cutoffs; no evidence of interaction
1.64(1.28–2.09)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Incident ASCVD, clinical cutoffs (Lp(a) ≥125 nmol/L; hsCRP ≥2.0 mg/L)
| Comparison | sHR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Concurrent elevations | 1.74 (1.17–2.59) | |
| 0.20.5125Subdistribution hazard ratio (log scale) |
- Similar patterns with clinical cutoffs
Original publication
Lipoprotein(a), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and risk of incident ASCVD in individuals without standard modifiable risk factors. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 16 April 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it