Elevated lipoprotein(a) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) are associated with unfavorable functional outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: The association of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and stroke functional outcomes was conflicting. The aim of the study was to clarify whether high Lp(a) is associated with unfavorable functional outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 9709 individuals from the third China National Stroke Registry cohort were recruited. Plasma level of Lp(a) at admission was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cut-off was set at the median for Lp(a). Functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months and 1 year after ischemic stroke. The association between Lp(a) and functional outcomes was evaluated using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: The median age was 63.0 years, and 31.1% participants were women. Patients in higher Lp(a) group had higher incidences of unfavorable functional outcomes at 3 months. In logistic regression model, elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with unfavorable functional outcomes at 3 months (Q4 vs. Q1: odds ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.61). Subgroup analysis showed that in the lower Lp-PLA(2) group, Lp(a) level was not associated with functional outcomes, but in the higher Lp-PLA(2) group, Lp(a) level was significantly associated with functional outcomes. After grouped by different levels of Lp(a) and Lp-PLA(2), the Lp(a) high/ Lp-PLA(2) high group showed the highest incidence of unfavorable functional outcomes at 3 months and 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated Lp(a) level is associated with unfavorable functional outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke. The increment in both Lp(a) and Lp-PLA(2) are associated with unfavorable functional outcomes at 3 months and 1 year after ischemic stroke. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02359-w.