ABSTRACT
Purpose: Blood Lp(a) concentration is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Population-based lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) research in Saudi Arabia is rare. Thus, the primary goal of this pilot study was to identify age- and sex-specific reference ranges for Lp(a) levels, in addition to the associations between Lp(a) levels and other atherosclerotic markers in Saudi individuals. Patients and methods: A five-year retrospective study of Lp(a) and lipid markers in Saudi patients was conducted using the Al-Borg diagnostics database (2015-2020). The population sample consisted of 361 Saudi individuals aged 18-93 years (162 males, 199 females). An immunoturbidimetric technique was used to determine Lp(a) concentration. Results: The mean and median Lp(a) levels in the study population were 35 nmol/L and 50 nmol/L, respectively. Sex and age did not influence Lp(a) values. Lp(a) values showed a minor correlation with other atherosclerotic markers when the Pearson correlation coefficient was used. In Saudi Arabia, the distribution of Lp(a) concentrations is skewed to the left, favoring lower values. Conclusion: Lp(a) levels in individuals residing in Saudi Arabia were comparable to those observed in other ethnic groups. Additionally, standardizing Lp(a) measurements according to sex and age may enhance broader applicability and facilitate comparisons across different populations. However, larger studies are required to provide more comprehensive data for comparison.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the awareness level and knowledge about multiple sclerosis (MS) disease among the general population in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was a community-based cross-sectional descriptive study carried on by an online questionnaire, previously validated in published studies, to all residents in the western region of Saudi Arabia who successfully fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria a total number of 4038. Results: Out of the total number of respondents (n=3,536), the majority 46% (1,625) showed a low level of knowledge, while 31% (1,116) have an average level of knowledge, and 22.5% (795) have a high level of knowledge. Various factors including age, gender and socioeconomic status showed a potential association. Conclusion: This community-based survey showed a low level of knowledge in regard to MS in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. Multiple variables showed potential associations that can be utilized to efficiently direct governmental and non-governmental health organizations' efforts to maximize awareness of this condition to aid early recognition and early treatment in the hope of better outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], aka "Lp little a", was discovered in the 1960s in the lab of the Norwegian physician Kåre Berg. Since then, we have greatly improved our knowledge of lipids and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lp(a) is an enigmatic class of lipoprotein that is exclusively formed in the liver and comprises two main components, a single copy of apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 (apo-B100) tethered to a single copy of a protein denoted as apolipoprotein(a) apo(a). Plasma levels of Lp(a) increase soon after birth to a steady concentration within a few months of life. In adults, Lp(a) levels range widely from <2 to 2500 mg/L. Evidence that elevated Lp(a) levels >300 mg/L contribute to CVD is significant. The improvement of isoform-independent assays, together with the insight from epidemiologic studies, meta-analyses, genome-wide association studies, and Mendelian randomization studies, has established Lp(a) as the single most common independent genetically inherited causal risk factor for CVD. This breakthrough elevated Lp(a) from a biomarker of atherosclerotic risk to a target of therapy. With the emergence of promising second-generation antisense therapy, we hope that we can answer the question of whether Lp(a) is ready for prime-time clinic use. In this review, we present an update on the metabolism, pathophysiology, and current/future medical interventions for high levels of Lp(a).