Lipoprotein (a) in ischemic stroke: A Comparative study between Type II Diabetic Vs Non Diabetic patients

INTRODUCTION : Stroke is defined as rapidly developing clinical signs of focal or global disturbance of cerebral function with symptoms lasting for 24 hours or more, it is the most common neurological disorder worldwide. Stroke is also known as Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), derived from Greek word which means ‘Struck Down with violence’. AIMS : This study is done to compare lipoprotein (a) level in Type II diabetic and non-diabetic patient with ischemic stroke, to know any significant association present with lipoprotein (a) levels and ischemic stroke, to identify whether diabetic patients have significantly high lipoprotein (a) value compared non diabetic and to evaluate whether lipoprotein (a) level can use as an early marker to assess severity of ischemic stroke. STUDY METHODS : This is a cross sectional study done on 100 patients with ischemic stroke who attended Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital over a period of 6 months from June 2013 to November 2013. Patients with age above 40 years were studied. Of the 100 patients studied 50 patients under group 1 were type II diabetic and 50 patients under group 2 were non diabetic. Diagnosis of stroke was made clinically and radiologically CT proven. Lipoprotein(a) levels were measured for all these patients.The disease morbidity was assessed using the Scandinavian scoring system. RESULTS AND OBSERVATION : 33 patients under group 1(diabetic population) and 23 patients under group 2 (non-diabetic population) had lipoprotein levels in the high risk category [Lp(a)= 30 to 50 mg/dl]. There is a significant difference in the association of Lp(a) levels and ischemic stroke p value 0.044 and there is significant association between diabetic and non-diabetic population(p value=0.047). The rise in Lp(a) levels to assess the disease severity by Scandinavian scoring system was not significant(p value=0.099). CONCLUSION : High lipoprotein (a) level significantly associated with ischemic stroke. The Lp(a) levels were significantly higher inpatients with type II diabetes than those without diabetes. Lp(a) cannot be used as a marker to assess the severity of ischemic stroke