Interaction of lipoprotein(a) with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on first incident acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the interaction effects between lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on first incident acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among Chinese Han population.

Methods: 1522 cases and 1691 controls were retrospectively analyzed. All subjects were grouped by Lp(a) or LDL-C level.

Results: Compared with reference group (LDL-C < 2.6 mmol/L and in the 1st quintile of Lp(a)), multivariable-adjusted analysis revealed that OR(95%CI) of first incident AMI for higher LDL-C alone is 2.66(1.78-3.98); that ORs(95%CI) for higher Lp(a) alone are 1.51(1.07-2.15), 1.84(1.28-2.64), 1.86(1.30-2.67) and 2.66(1.88-3.76) across the Lp(a) quintiles; and that ORs(95%CI) for both higher LDL-C and higher Lp(a) are 3.95(2.64-5.92), 3.20(2.21-4.64), 5.64(3.80-8.36) and 7.48(4.90-11.44) which were greater than the sum of the risks of both alone across the Lp(a) quintiles. Relative excess risks due to interaction were 1.78(95% CI, 0.12-3.44, P = 0.036) and 3.01(0.58-5.44, P = 0.015) at the 4th and 5th quintile of Lp(a), confirming the presence of additive interaction between Lp(a) and LDL-C on initial AMI.

Conclusions: Lp(a) interacts with LDL-C in first incident AMI on additive scale in Chinese Han population. The risk of initial AMI from exposure of elevated Lp(a) combined with elevated LDL-C is much greater than the sum of the risks from that of both alone.

Keywords: Chinese Han population; First incident acute myocardial infarction; Interaction; Lipoprotein(a); Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.