Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is a promising biomarker with potential to improve atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk assessment tools. We assessed knowledge, awareness, and frequency of encounters wi Show more
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is a promising biomarker with potential to improve atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk assessment tools. We assessed knowledge, awareness, and frequency of encounters with elevated levels of Lp(a) and related management strategies among physicians in the Arabian Gulf region. In this cross-sectional study, a self-administered online survey was distributed from December 2024 to February 2025 to clinicians in Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The questionnaire assessed demographics, knowledge, awareness, and clinical practice. Among the 1069 included respondents, the mean knowledge score was modest (M = 9.0 ± 3.5/17.0), and 75% self-reported as being unaware of Lp(a) or "neutral." Those in cardiology had slightly higher knowledge scores compared to those in other subspecialties (P < .001), and tertiary care practitioners had marginally better knowledge scores than non-tertiary practitioners (9.34 vs 8.78; P < .001). Only 252 (23.6%) participants reported having requested Lp(a) measurements, and lack of information (31.2%) and unavailability in hospitals (23.9%) were cited as the main reasons for not ordering Lp(a). Statins were viewed as the best initial approach to lowering Lp(a) (55.6%), and the Lp(a)-lowering medication pelacarsen was not commonly selected as first-line (31.7%). Physicians in the Arabian Gulf region report limited basic and clinical knowledge of Lp(a), which could result in underestimation of cardiovascular risk. These findings, in the largest such study to date, are a call to action to increase awareness about Lp(a) and accessibility to testing. Show less