Lipoprotein(a) in Children of Asian Indian Descendants and Their Caucasian Neighbors: The Slovak Lipid Community Study

Abstract

To elucidate a higher rate of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Asian Indian descendants (Roma) in Slovakia, we investigated frequency distribution, correlates and relationship of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] to family CVD risk factors in Roma children and their Caucasian neighbors. The study sample consisted of 607 healthy children aged 7-18 years (55% Roma, 48% male) as part of the biracial (Roma-Caucasian) Slovak Lipid Community Study. Overall, frequency distribution data of Lp(a) were highly skewed to low concentrations, with markedly higher Lp(a) levels in Roma than in Caucasian children (median and range, mg/dL: 14.5; 0-159.2 vs 6.2; 0-112.3, P \ 0.001), regardless of age and gender. Lp(a) was positively correlated with apo B (0.159, P = 0.004) in Roma, and LDL cholesterol (0.170, P = 0.005) in Caucasian children. In addition, daily income of the family was negatively related with Lp(a) in Roma (-0.134, P = 0.036) while positively in Caucasians (0.136, P = 0.047). For both race groups, no significant association was found between Lp(a) and age, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, smoking, and physical activity. Also, no significant relationships were examined between serum Lp(a) levels [30 mg/dL in children and family CVD risk factors, except for diabetes mellitus in parents of Caucasian origin (OR 4.46;. In a multivariate analysis, daily income, LDL cholesterol or apo B explained *7% of the variance of Lp(a). This study suggests a significantly higher serum Lp(a) levels in Roma than in Caucasian children and a small effect, in general, of relevant CVD risk factors on the variation of Lp(a) levels in childhood.

Prevalence and status of Lipoprotein (a) among Lebanese school children

“…Conversely, in a Taiwanese study 31 performed on 1283 school children aged 12–16, none of the anthropometric measures (body weight, waist and hip circumference) were significantly correlated with Lp(a) levels. Likewise, in another report, there was no significant association between Lp(a) and BMI in children of Asian Indian descendants and their Caucasian neighbors 28 . Finally, Brandstatter el al.…”

“…Lp(a) was not related to age in our population, a finding consistent with the NHANES study 17) in which Lp(a) levels > 30 mg/dL did not increase with age except in Mexican Americans. Similarly, in Asian Indian Descendants, no significant association was found between Lp(a) and age 28 . In contrast, in our previous report carried out on this same sample, the lipid profile (non-HDL-C, triglycerides, HDL-C) was influenced by age and sex 23 : non-HDL-C and triglycerides were higher in girls in the age group 8–11 years compared to the age group 15–18, while the opposite was observed in boys.…”

“…The relation of SES with Lp(a) level has been poorly studied. In Indian descendants, the family daily income was negatively correlated with Lp(a) while it was positively correlated with Lp(a) in their Caucasian neighbors 28 . While ethnic differences could explain this discrepancy, it is also possible that the unavailability of individual family income in the current study could have confounded the effect of SES on Lp(a).…”

Dyslipidemia in Children With Arterial Ischemic Stroke: Prevalence and Risk Factors

“… SD= standard deviation; TC= total cholesterol; HDL-c= high density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-c= low density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG= triglycerides; Lp(a)= lipoprotein(a) a For TC, non-HDL-c, LDL-c, TG, and Lp(a), mean + 1SD = 84.13th percentile; for HDL-c, mean - 1SD= 15.87th percentile * Corresponding percentile in our study is lesser than 84.13%tile for TC, non-HDL-c, LDL-c, TG, and Lp(a), or greater than 15.87%tile for HDL-c 525 b (27) c (28) d (29) e (30); f Lp(a) study (31) g (32) h (33) …”

“… a (25) b (24) c (27) d (28); e Lipid Research Clinic standards, Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics 17th edn. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 445–459 f (29) g (30); h Lp(a) study (31) I (32) j (33) …”