Lp-PLA2 activity and mass are associated with increased incidence of ischemic stroke: a population-based cohort study from Malmö, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding the association between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA(2)) level and incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events are conflicting. This prospective urban population-based study explored the relationship between baseline Lp-PLA(2) activity and mass, respectively, levels and incidence of first coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke, respectively.

METHODS: Lp-PLA(2) activity and mass were assessed in 5393 (60% women) subjects who participated in the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study cardiovascular program during 1991-1994.

RESULTS: In all 347 subjects had an event (195 CHD and 152 ischemic strokes) during the follow-up period (mean 10.6+/-1.7 years). In an age-, sex- and CV risk factors-adjusted Cox regression analysis, comparing top to bottom tertile of Lp-PLA(2) activity, the relative risk [RR; 95% confidence interval (CI)] for incident CHD and ischemic stroke events were 1.48; 0.92-2.37 and RR: 1.94; 1.15-3.26, respectively. The corresponding figures for Lp-PLA(2) mass were 0.95; 0.65-1.40 and RR: 1.92; 1.20-3.10.

CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of Lp-PLA(2) activity and mass, respectively, were in this study, independently of established risk factors related to the incidence of ischemic stroke but after adjustment for lipids not significant related to incident CHD.