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

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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; 95%CI: 1.23–16.20). 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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the pediatricians Drs. M. Koóšová and D. Ramajová for their help and cooperation in the survey, and Dr. D. Gábor and the laboratory staff of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry of F.D. Roosevelt Faculty Hospital for their assistence in the lipid analyses. The research for this article was supported by a Grant from the Slovak Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education, Science and Research of the Slovak Republic, VEGA 1/2345-05.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Ecology, Matthias Belivs University, SK-97401, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

    R. Alberty, R. Alberty & D. Albertyová

  2. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, F.D. Roosevelt Faculty Hospital, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

    D. Albertyová

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Alberty, R., Albertyová, D. Lipoprotein(a) in Children of Asian Indian Descendants and Their Caucasian Neighbors: The Slovak Lipid Community Study. Ind J Clin Biochem 27, 231–238 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-012-0196-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-012-0196-9

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