Lipoprotein(a) in Disaggregated South Asian Groups
Authors' conclusion
There is modest variation in Lp(a) levels, but no difference in the association between Lp(a) and ASCVD outcomes, across South Asian subgroups.
Study context
- Population
- South Asian individuals in the Meditators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) and the UK Biobank (UKB) studiestwo cohorts · MASALA participants born in the South Asian subcontinent 2,074 · UKB participants 6,845
- Exposure
- Lp(a) levels by South Asian country of origin and by state among Indian-origin participants
Methodological detailsMASALA and UK Biobank
- MASALA and UK Biobank
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Lp(a) level (MASALA)
Median [Q1-Q3] Lp(a)
20.7 [10.5-43.0] mg/dL
Variation by country of origin
P = 0.035
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Bangladesh | India | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Lp(a) by country of origin (MASALA) | median 23 [11-48] mg/dL | median 19 [10-37] mg/dL | median 22 [11-47] mg/dL | median 17 [10-34] mg/dL |
Nongenetic factors and Lp(a) levels
- Vegetarian diet, statin use, postmenopausal status, and fewer years in the United States were associated with higher Lp(a) levels
- Alcohol consumption was associated with lower Lp(a) levels
- These associations were all very modest
Association between Lp(a) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) (UKB)
- Median Lp(a)
- 31 [13-65] nmol/L
- Associations did not vary by country of origin or South Asian ethnicity
- P for interaction > 0.05
- Among 6,845 UKB participants, the associations between Lp(a) and ASCVD did not vary by country of origin or South Asian ethnicity (P interaction > 0.05)
Original publication
Lipoprotein(a) in Disaggregated South Asian Groups. JACC Adv. Published 13 October 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it