Cross-Sectional Association of Lipoprotein(a) Levels With Vascular Complications and Related Parameters in a Japanese Type 2 Diabetes Cohort
Abstract
AIMS: To investigate the association between Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels and vascular complications, as well as related parameters, in a cohort of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from a cohort of patients with 1465 type 2 diabetes. Lp(a) was measured by a turbidimetric immunoassay. Participants were categorized according to Lp(a) levels: GI (＜30), GII (30-49), and GIII (≥ 50 mg/dL). Small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (sdLDL-C) and LDL-triglycerides were measured using homogeneous assays. RESULTS: The median [interquartile range] plasma Lp(a) concentration was 12.7 [6.1-24.6] mg/dL (21.8 [6-50.5] nmol/L). The prevalence rates for GI, GII, and GIII were 80, 12, and 8%, respectively, while low Lp(a) levels (＜5 mg/dL) were present in 18%. These prevalence rates were comparable to those reported in the general Japanese population. Higher Lp(a) grades were associated with the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease including borderline cases, severe diabetic retinopathy, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), but not with stroke. Lp(a) levels were higher in older individuals, female, kidney dysfunction, and statin users, whereas lower levels were observed in those with higher glycemia, current drinkers, and liver dysfunction. Patients with CAD or statin users had lower levels of LDL-C, sdLDL-C, LDL-triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B but higher Lp(a) concentrations compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) levels were associated with the prevalence of diabetic complications, particularly CKD and CAD. Lp(a) remains relevant associated factor with CAD in cross-sectional studies influenced by ongoing lipid-lowering therapies.
Related
- Association of the triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with kidney stone status: cross-sectional and machine-learning analyses
- Association between atherogenic index of plasma and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets: a real-world cohort study.
- Association between the uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and diabetic kidney disease in U.S. adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study of NHANES 2009 to 2018.
- Association between the uric acid to high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and H‑type hypertension: a cross‑sectional study in Chinese adults.
- Association of Serum Magnesium Concentration With Microvascular Complications Among Patients Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Observational Cross-Sectional Analysis.
BibTeX
@article{hirano2026crosssectional,
title = {{Cross-Sectional Association of Lipoprotein(a) Levels With Vascular Complications and Related Parameters in a Japanese Type 2 Diabetes Cohort}},
author = {Tsutomu Hirano and Mayumi Uetani and Kento Nakata and Natsuko Suzuki and Ema Aoki and Takeshi Hirashima and Yasuki Ito},
journal = {Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.5551/jat.66152},
url = {https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jat/33/9/33_66152/_article},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cross-Sectional Association of Lipoprotein(a) Levels With Vascular Complications and Related Parameters in a Japanese Type 2 Diabetes Cohort
AU - Tsutomu Hirano
AU - Mayumi Uetani
AU - Kento Nakata
AU - Natsuko Suzuki
AU - Ema Aoki
AU - Takeshi Hirashima
AU - Yasuki Ito
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis
DO - 10.5551/jat.66152
UR - https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jat/33/9/33_66152/_article
AB - AIMS: To investigate the association between Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels and vascular complications, as well as related parameters, in a cohort of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from a cohort of patients with 1465 type 2 diabetes. Lp(a) was measured by a turbidimetric immunoassay. Participants were categorized according to Lp(a) levels: GI (＜30), GII (30-49), and GIII (≥ 50 mg/dL). Small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (sdLDL-C) and LDL-triglycerides were measured using homogeneous assays. RESULTS: The median [interquartile range] plasma Lp(a) concentration was 12.7 [6.1-24.6] mg/dL (21.8 [6-50.5] nmol/L). The prevalence rates for GI, GII, and GIII were 80, 12, and 8%, respectively, while low Lp(a) levels (＜5 mg/dL) were present in 18%. These prevalence rates were comparable to those reported in the general Japanese population. Higher Lp(a) grades were associated with the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease including borderline cases, severe diabetic retinopathy, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), but not with stroke. Lp(a) levels were higher in older individuals, female, kidney dysfunction, and statin users, whereas lower levels were observed in those with higher glycemia, current drinkers, and liver dysfunction. Patients with CAD or statin users had lower levels of LDL-C, sdLDL-C, LDL-triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B but higher Lp(a) concentrations compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) levels were associated with the prevalence of diabetic complications, particularly CKD and CAD. Lp(a) remains relevant associated factor with CAD in cross-sectional studies influenced by ongoing lipid-lowering therapies.
SN - 1880-3873
SN - 1340-3478
ER -