The effect of long-term glycaemic control on serum lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aims: To examine whether long-term glycaemic control affects lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Eighty-nine Type 2 diabetic patients (38 men, 51 women) were recruited from the diabetes clinic. Based on HbA(1c) concentrations at baseline, patients were divided into two groups: those with HbA(1c) < 8.0% (n=45) and those with HbA(1c) ≥ 8.0% (n=44). Comparisons of Lp(a) levels were made between both groups. The effect of long-term glycaemic control on Lp(a) levels was investigated in a subgroup of 20 patients, selected from those with baseline HbA(1c) ≥ 8%. All these patients were treated with a goal of HbA(1c) < 7%. Results: Lp(a) levels were not significantly different between those with HbA(1c) < 8.0% and those with HbA(1c) ≥ 8.0%. No correlation between Lp(a) and HbA(1c) or fasting blood glucose levels was noted in diabetic patients as a whole. After 2 years of intensive glycaemic control, all patients exhibited remarkable improvement of therapy: their average HbA(1c) levels were 6.5 ± 0.7%, being <7% in 70% of patients. However, no change in Lp(a) levels were observed after 2 years (19.5 ± 14.8- 21.4 ± 13.4 mg/dl, P = 0.390). Conclusion: These results indicate that improvement of glycaemic control does not affect serum Lp(a) levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.