OBJECTIVE: To examine whether lp(a) can explain a) the increased cardiovascular morbidity in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and b) the wide variation in the tendency for such complications to develop in the patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: General practice in a local community in Norway. SUBJECTS: One hundred and thirty NIDDM patients and a reference group drawn from a twin study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lp(a), self-reported cardiovascular disease, urinary albumin excretion. RESULTS: The level of lp(a) was equally distributed in our NIDDM population and a reference group. We found no association between lp(a) and self-reported cardiovascular disease and urinary albumin excretion (UAE). CONCLUSION: Lp(a) cannot explain the increased risk for cardiovascular disease in NIDDM patients, nor can it explain the variation in the tendency for such complications to develop.