Relationship of lipoprotein(a) to variables of coagulation and fibrinolysis in a healthy population

Abstract

In the Prospective Cardiovascular Münster (PROCAM) study, serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and its relationship to pro- and anticoagulatory as well as fibrinolytic indices were determined in a large group of employees: 864 men (m) and 373 women (f), ages 16-65 years. Univariate statistical analysis showed Lp(a) concentration to be associated with fibrinogen concentrations in both sexes (m: r = 0.08, P<0.05; f: r = 0.20, P<0.001), but not with euglobulin fibrinolysis activity, tissue-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), or the split products of cross-linked fibrin (d-dimer). In women only, Lp(a) was significantly correlated with antithrombin III (r = 0.15, P<0.01) and Protein C (r = 0.17, P <0.01). Further sex-related differences were seen in the relationship between Lp(a) and age (m: r = 0.05; f: r = 0.23, P <0.001) and body mass index (m: r = 0.01; f: r = 0.19, P <0.001), primarily as a consequence of remarkable differences of Lp(a) concentrations between postmenopausal (mean = 79.4 mg/L) and premenopausal women (mean = 51.5 mg/L, P = 0.001). Multiple-regression analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation of Lp(a) to PAI-1 (m: β= -0.12, P <0.01; f: β = -0.14, P <0.05) and a positive correlation to cholesterol (m: β= 0.18, P <0.001; f: β= 0.17, P <0.01) and systolic blood pressure (m: β= 0.08, P <0.05; f: β= 0.11, P <0.05).