Lipoprotein(a) levels in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its possible correlation with thrombosis, disease activity, anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and steroid therapy. METHODS: Serum Lp(a) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 34 Caucasian patients with SLE and compared to 66 healthy subjects. RESULTS: In patients with SLE Lp(a) levels were higher than in controls (42 +/- 35 vs 26 +/- 25 mg/dl, p = 0.01). Lp(a) levels were high (> or = 30 mg/dl) in 56% of the patients with SLE and in 30% of controls (p = 0.02) but were not correlated with the clinical and laboratory findings. CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) levels are significantly higher in patients with SLE and are not influenced by disease activity, thrombosis, aCL and steroid therapy.