Endocrine Abstracts

Lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)] is a genetically determined, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and aortic stenosis. Risk thresholds from the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) stratification include normal (<75 nmol/l), intermediate risk (75–125 nmol/l), and abnormal (>125 nmol/l). Moreover, it is estimated that in Caucasian populations approximately 20% are classified as abnormal and there is no difference between males and females. Currently, Lp(a) availability to laboratory service-users is restricted. This service evaluation characterises Lp(a) in a cohort of patients from specialist CVD risk factor clinics in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, where Lp(a) is considered a key laboratory investigation. Serum Lp(a) data from 1,336 patients (50.2% male) tested between January 2022 and June 2025 were analysed. Patients ranged in age from 16 to 91 years (median 49 ± 14 years). The overall median Lp(a) was 33 nmol/l(interquartile range [IQR] 14–154 nmol/l). Of note the median Lp(a) in females was 45.7 nmol/l(IQR 16–177 nmol/l) and in males 27.9 nmol/l(IQR 11.5–123 nmol/l). Based on EAS thresholds, the cohort’s Lp(a) distribution was skewed with 63% <75 nmol/l, 8% ≥75 and ≤125 nmol/l, and 29% > 125 nmol/l. Overall, in this selective cohort of patients a significant proportion (29%) had Lp(a) levels indicative of an independent causal CVD risk factor, reinforcing the importance of Lp(a) screening in high-risk populations. The data also showed a higher median Lp(a) in females suggesting possible sex-based differences. The results are consistent with both recently reported national data and international studies of similar cohorts.