Abstract

Prevalence of elevated lipoprotein(a) levels in Korean: A large population-based study

Author(s): Rihwa Choi, Mi-Jung Park, Youngju Oh, Sukjung Lee, Sung Ho Kim, Sang Gon Lee, and Eun Hee Lee

Background: Large population-based studies on lipoprotein(a) in Korea are rare. We aimed to evaluate lipoprotein(a) concentration among the Korean population, stratified by age and sex.

Methods: Results were obtained through the laboratory information system of Green Cross Laboratories, one of the largest referral laboratories in South Korea. Lipoprotein(a) concentrations were evaluated in the Korean population stratified by age and sex.

Results: During the one-year study period, 14,395 lipoprotein(a) measurements were obtained from 14,158 Korean adults (8,418 men and 5,740 women) from 82 hospitals and/or local clinics. The median (Interquartile Range, IQR) lipoprotein(a) concentration of the total population was 19.6 (9.0-47.6) nmol/L. Median (IQR) lipoprotein(a) concentrations were higher in women (23.3, 10.854.5 nmol/L) than in men (17.4, 8.0-42.7 nmol/L, P<0.0001). The correlation coefficient r between lipoprotein(a) concentration and age was 0.1632 (P<0.0001). Among 14,395 lipoprotein(a) measurements, 15.3% (n=2,209) of results were higher than 75.0 nmol/L, the cut-off value for increased risk for cardiovascular diseases in Caucasians.

Conclusions: This study provides basic information regarding expected values for lipoprotein(a) concentration in the Korean population.