With this project, we aim to further investigate the impact of Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] on renal, cardiovascular, and microvascular health.
Research Questions:
– Is Lp(a) associated with renal outcomes, specifically eGFR decline and chronic kidney disease, and is there evidence for a causal relationship (mendelian randomization)?
– Does the association between Lp(a) and cardiovascular risk vary across different ethnic groups?
– Is Lp(a) linked to microvascular complications in diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy?
– In primary prevention settings, what is the potential role of therapeutic interventions (aspirin, statins, or their combination) in modifying Lp(a)-related risk?
Objectives:
– To quantify the associations between Lp(a) and renal, cardiovascular, and diabetic outcomes in a large, well-characterized cohort.
– If possible, to establish whether there is a causal link between Lp(a) and these health outcomes.
– To evaluate differences in Lp(a)-related risk profiles across ethnic groups.
– To assess the potential impact of aspirin and/or statin therapy in individuals with elevated Lp(a) as a basis for primary prevention strategies.
Scientific Rationale:
Lipoprotein(a) is increasingly recognized as an important and causal biomarker in the development of chronic diseases; however, its precise role in renal dysfunction, cardiovascular events, and diabetic microvascular complications remains uncertain. Furthermore, variations in Lp(a)-related risk across ethnic groups could explain observed disparities in disease prevalence and outcomes. This study will address critical gaps in our understanding of Lp(a) and has the potential to inform tailored prevention and treatment strategies, thereby enhancing risk prediction and improving health outcomes across diverse populations.