Abstract
Many studies have indicated that Lp (a) may be an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease (IHD). Although elevation of Lp (a) in diabetes, especially in subjects with nephropathy, has also been reported, the significance of Lp (a) as a risk factor for diabetic angiopathy is still unclear. In the present study, we determined Lp (a) concentrations in 596 NIDDM patients, and assessed the clinical implications of Lp (a) in subjects with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). ASO was found in 78 patients (prevalence=13%). The patients with ASO tended to be older, to have longstanding DM, lower BMI, reduced HDL-C and ApoAl, and increased Lp (a) levels. ASO was also frequently associated with hypertension, IHD, and nephropathy. Most of the patients with ASO were treated with insulin. Since nephropathy is associated with elevated Lp (a) levels, when adjusted for nephropathy plasma Lp (a) levels were not correlated with ASO. Discriminant analysis demonstrated that aging, nephropathy, and hypertension, but not Lp (a), may be independent risk factors for ASO in NIDDM.
