Lipoprotein(a) serum levels in patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A recent study has suggested that symptoms of chronic bronchitis predict the risk of coronary disease independently of the known major cardiovascular risk factors. High serum levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) have also been considered as an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the behaviour of Lp(a) in patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Serum levels of total-cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, apolipoprotein (Apo) B-100, and Lp(a) were measured in 90 COPD patients and in 90 normal subjects matched for age, sex and smoking habit. COPD patients showed lower serum levels of Apo B-100 (P<0.0001) and Lp(a) (P<0.003) compared to controls. Conversely, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides were similar between patients and controls. No significant differences were found in Apo B-100 and Lp(a) levels of patients either undergoing different therapeutic regimens, or with different smoking habits. A significant correlation between Apo B-100 and Lp(a) (ρ=0.433, P<0.0001) was also observed. In conclusion, COPD patients do not show an atherogenetic lipid pattern and their increased risk of coronary disease could be attributable to different factors, such as the ongoing hypercoagulability state often associated with COPD.