Elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) in psychiatric patients: a possible contribution to increased vascular risk

An increased incidence of adverse cardiovascular events has been reported in psychiatric patients, but the exact mechanisms underlying this association are still uncertain. Elevated plasma level of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for atherothrombotic disease in the general population. To study the implications of Lp(a) in psychiatric patients, we measured the plasma levels of Lp(a) in 74 patients with psychiatric disorders (39 schizophrenia, 10 major depression, 13 bipolar disorder and 12 personality disorder) and 74 healthy controls. The Lp(a) levels of the patient groups with schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder were significantly higher than that of the control group. The median Lp(a) value of these diagnostic groups was comparable with those reported in patients with prior atherothrombotic events. On the other hand, no differences were found among personality disorder and controls. Our findings suggest that the elevation of plasma Lp(a) may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in several patients with psychiatric disorders.