Lack of association of lipoprotein (a) with coronary heart disease in Spaniard type 2 diabetic patients

We tried to elucidate the possible relationship between lipoprotein (a) levels and coronary heart disease by assessing the presence of lipoprotein (a) covariates in NIDDM. We selected 41 type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease and 82 type 2 diabetic patients free from cardiovascular disease. They were adjusted for age, sex and duration of diabetes. Routine chemical analysis was carried out using standard procedures, HbA 1c by HPLC and lipoprotein (a) and urinary albumin excretion rate by immunonephelometry. No difference has been found in lipoprotein (a) levels between both groups of patients (18 [144.25] mg/dl in cases vs. 23 [197.25] mg/dl in controls (median [range]), Mann-Whitney U-test, P > 0.1). No association has been found between coronary heart disease and lipoprotein (a) levels greater than 30 mg/dl (Pearson's χ 2, P > 0.1). Significant and independent linear relationships have been found between the square root of lipoprotein (a) levels, serum creatinine and total cholesterol (multiple r 2: 0.15, P < 0.001). Patients treated with insulin had greater square root of lipoprotein (a) levels, even after adjusting for serum creatinine and total cholesterol (5.87 ± 0.35 vs. 4.76 ± 0.36 (mean ± S.E.), ANCOVA, P < 0.05). These data do not show an association between symptomatic coronary heart disease and lipoprotein (a) in NIDDM. Significant and independent relationships have been found between this variable and serum creatinine, total cholesterol and insulin therapy.