Aims: To estimate serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without diabetic retinopathy and to determine the correlation, if any, between serum Lp(a) levels and severity of diabetic retinopathy.
Materials and methods: The study included a total of 200 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus out of which 100 patients who had no retinopathy served as the control group and 100 patients with diabetic retinopathy formed the study group. A detailed fundus examination was done with dilated pupil. The Lp(a) levels were measured quantitatively in fasting venous samples by an immunoturbidimetric method using commercially available kits (Clonital).
Statistical analysis used: Group comparisons involving qualitative measures were carried out using Chi square test. ANOVA procedure was applied for comparing group means. Logistic regression analysis was performed for independent factors associated with diabetic retinopathy.
Results: The average Lp(a) levels in the study group (68.5 mg/dl) were significantly higher than in the control group (25.1 mg/dl) (P 0.001). The Lp(a) levels were found to increase with increasing severity of diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusions: Serum Lp(a) levels are significantly raised in patients with diabetic retinopathy as compared to those with no retinopathy.