Analisi della distribuzione della lipoproteina (a) in un campione di popolazione adulta

Abstract

Plasma lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] levels, positively and independently associated with a risk for the development of atherosclerotic disorders, are under relatively strict genetic control. Consequently, the distribution of Lp (a) in general population shows characteristics that differ from those of others lipoproteins: wide variability among individuals (0->100 mg/dl), among populations. Therefore, population-based reference values, as well as the concentration at which Lp (a) is considered to be a risk factor, should be established for each population. This report analyzes Lp (a) distribution in a sample of general population of Bressana, Pavia, Italy (702 subjects; 339 males and 363 female; age 20-59 years). Lp (a) levels are measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TintElize Lp (a) -Menarini Diagnostics). 
The first hypothesis concerns the normality of the distribution of Lp (a). The analysis shows a statistically significant deviation from normality of the distribution of Lp (a) frequency (strong skewness toward the right: the curve is compressed in the values < 10 mg/dl, and leptokurtosis) .....................................................................................
Lipoprotein (a) distribution in our examined general population sample shows a highly positive skewness according to litarure. Lp (a) distribution has been repeatedly examined, yet a few studies have included data of general populations, and, also in this case, not all the studies have provided appropriate measures to characterize the distribution of the Lp (a) when this distribution was not-normal. Conseguently, for epidemiological aims, we think it is advisable to show the values (mg/dl) of the 25th, 50th, 75th percentiles of the Lp (a) distribution: total sample (4,0; 9,5; 24,0) ; males (3,0; 8,7; 23,0) ; females (4,0; 10,0; 25,0).