Link Between Lipoprotein (a) Levels and White Matter Hyperintensities
Author Information
Author(s): Alotaibi Fawaz F., Mohamed Gamal, Bakry Sawsan S., Alqahtani Mohammed, BinAmir Hussain, AlKawi Ammar, Alreshaid Abdulrahman A., AlZawahmaha Mohamed, Alhazzani Adel, Shuaib Ashfaq, Al-Ajlan Fahad S.
Primary Institution: Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Hypothesis
Are elevated lipoprotein (a) levels associated with a higher burden of white matter hyperintensities?
Conclusion
Higher levels of lipoprotein (a) are associated with a greater burden of white matter hyperintensities in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Supporting Evidence
- High lipoprotein (a) levels were associated with higher periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities.
- The study included 153 patients with a mean age of 45.9 years.
- Patients were stratified into low, moderate, and high lipoprotein (a) levels.
- Statistical analysis showed significant associations between lipoprotein (a) levels and white matter hyperintensities.
Takeaway
This study found that people with higher lipoprotein (a) levels have more white spots in their brain, which can be a sign of damage.
Methodology
Retrospective analysis of 153 patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks, assessing lipoprotein (a) levels and white matter hyperintensities using MRI.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias from only including patients who presented to the hospital.
Limitations
The study may have selection bias due to recruiting patients in the acute stroke phase and cannot establish causality.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of 45.9 years; 35.9% women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.004
Confidence Interval
1.60–12.07
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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