Predictors of coronary artery disease in the Lebanese population

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The disease is determined by many risk factors such as age, gender, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, as well as elevated serum levels of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid. In this study, we evaluated the association of biologic and metabolic parameters with CAD in a group of Lebanese patients. Methods: Three hundred patients were recruited for the study. Biologic and blood metabolic parameters were measured. Patients were then divided into 3 groups according to their catheterization result: 0% stenosis (controls), < 50% stenosis and ≥ 50% stenosis. Results: Hyperlipidemias, CRP, homocysteine and uric acid levels in CAD patients were not different from those of the controls. However, age, elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) and elevated serum Lp(a) levels were found to be strong independent predictors of CAD in our study population. Association with CAD was also shown for gender, hypertension, diabetes and family history of CAD. Conclusion: We report the importance of serum Lp(a) levels and FBG in the prediction and prevention of CAD in our population.