Lipoprotein(a) in Disaggregated South Asian Groups: An Analysis of Meditators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) and the UK Biobank
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: An Analysis of MASALA and the UK Biobank. JACC Adv. Published 13 October 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it