Cardio-metabolic disease (CMetD) is a prevalent health issue among healthcare professionals, and suboptimal management of metabolic disorders places a burden on the healthcare system. The present stud Show more
Cardio-metabolic disease (CMetD) is a prevalent health issue among healthcare professionals, and suboptimal management of metabolic disorders places a burden on the healthcare system. The present study aimed to cluster the participants based on risk factors for the CMetDs using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA). This study was conducted on 500 healthcare providers, aged 18 to 75 years at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. LPA was used to explore the latent risk profiles based on age, blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, insulin, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. The individuals were classified into three LPA-driven profiles: low (42.4%), intermediate (21.8%), and high (35.8%). The high-risk profile found in older age and higher BMI, insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBS), as well as higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride. Furthermore, in the intermediate risk profile, elevated levels of systolic/diastolic BP and waist circumference were associated with higher levels of risk. Haemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significant predictors of low and intermediate latent profiles. Higher levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit were associated with lower odds of being in low and intermediate latent profiles, compared to the high-risk profile (all LPA-derived latent profiles and the specific predictors of profiles help find control and prevention measures in CMetDs; older individuals with poorer lipid profiles, and, elevated insulin, triglyceride, FBS, BP, and BMI levels should be screened more carefully. Show less
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) was discovered more than six decades ago. Since then, it has evolved from a subject of curious experiments performed by a few scientists to an extensively explored therapeutic t Show more
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) was discovered more than six decades ago. Since then, it has evolved from a subject of curious experiments performed by a few scientists to an extensively explored therapeutic target for prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This has prompted an intense search for therapies and agents with potent Lp(a)-specific lowering effects on the horizon. Some of these agents are already in clinical trials to clarify whether lowering high Lp(a) levels would result in reductions in CVD events. The road to this point has been filled with many challenges, where landmark genetic discoveries opened new avenues and set the stage for interventions. Although there is no doubt that genetics play a key role in determining Lp(a) level, accumulating evidence also supports a role for some clinical conditions in influencing Lp(a) levels. CKD is a prevalent condition associated with elevated Lp(a) levels. Most available data show that elevated Lp(a) levels predict CVD risk in patients with CKD. Given the growing evidence for a relationship between Lp(a), CVD, and CKD as well as ongoing cardiovascular outcomes trials of Lp(a)-specific agents, we provide an overview of recent evidence on this topic. We focus on recent studies in patients with CKD on treatment modalities affecting Lp(a) level as well as on existing gaps in knowledge and future research directions related to clinical care and CVD risk reduction in patients with CKD. Show less