Compare and correlate the levels of lipoprotein (a) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein in coronary heart disease with control

ABSTRACT

Background: The incidence of ischemic heart disease/ myocardial infarction is rapidly increasing in India. However, the traditional risk factors alone could not explain this excess of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). So, we are in need of a tool to assess the severity and prognosis of these acute coronary syndromes. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) have been recognised as independent risk factors for CHD in many retrospective case control studies. As the data shows inconsistency in the prediction of risk by Lp(a) and hs-CRP, the study is carried out to compare and correlate the levels of Lp(a) and hs-CRP in coronary heart disease patients with controls.Methods: An observational case control study was conducted at Maharaja’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Nellimarla, with 120 participants. 80 admitted with CHD were categorised as type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic. Remaining 40 participants were age matched controls, who have attended the OP for general health check-up. Samples collected from the participants were analysed for Lp(a), hs-CRP and HbA1c.Results: Lp(a) levels were significantly elevated in CHD patients with diabetes (69.2±27.5) and non-significant in CHD patients without diabetes (50.4±24.3) as compared to their controls (36.6±22.5). There was significant correlation and elevation of hs-CRP in CHD patients with diabetes (6.0±2.6) and without diabetes (3.7±2.0) as compared to their controls (0.7±0.4).Conclusions: The present study shows a lack of association of Lp(a) levels in CHD patients with and without diabetes. A strong correlation of the inflammatory marker, hs-CRP was observed between the CHD patients with and without diabetes and even as compared to their controls. It may be concluded that hs-CRP is a better and independent marker than Lp(a) in patients with CHD.