Serum Lipoprotein-a Levels and Glyco-Metabolic Control in Insulin and Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives: Conflicting results for lipoprotein-a (Lp(a)) levels in diabetic patients exist in the literature. Normal, increased, and decreased values are described, and a relation to glycometabolic control is not unequivocally established. Design and Methods: In our study Lp(a) was measured in a large group of diabetics (80 patients with IDDM and 90 patients with NIDDM) in relation to glycometabolic control and the presence of microalbuminuria, retino and/or neuropathy. Long-term and short-term glycometabolic control were assessed by HbA1 and fructosamine assays, respectively. Results: Statistically significant differences between Lp(a) levels in IDDM and NIDDM and a control group of 110 healthy nondiabetics could not be established. It appeared that the level of Lp(a) in IDDM and NIDDM is independent of short-term and long-term glycometabolic control or the occurrence of microalbuminuria, neuro or retinopathy. However, poor glycometabolic control affected the number of Lp(a) levels elevated above a threshold of 0.25 g/L in IDDM. Conclusion: These results suggest that the level of Lp(a) in serum is not influenced by diabetes mellitus, glycemic control, or the occurrence of microalbuminuria, neuro or retinopathy.