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Elevated Plasma Homocysteine Level as a Risk Factor for Hypertension
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Abstract
Material and methods 88 consecutive hypertensive patients (62 men and 26 women, aged 18 to 72 years) and 120 healthy controls (87 men and 33 women, aged 32–81 years) were investigated. Homocysteine was assayed using Fluorescence Polarisation Immunoassay on the IMx Analyser made by Axis Biochemicals. Plasma folate and plasma vitamin B12 were assayed with chemiluminescency and IMMULITE Automated Analyser made by the Diagnostic Products Corporation.
Results Homocysteine concentrations were higher in patients than in controls (12,07 ± 5,1 vs. 10,72 ± 13 mmol/L, p < 0,001, adjusted for age). Elevated homocysteine level - defined as a level above the 90th percentile of the control distribution (ł 13,52 mmol/L) - was seen in 24% of the patients compared with 10% of the control group (p < 0,05). The odds ratio (OR) for Ht in persons with an elevated homocysteine level was 2,8 (95% CI 1,3-6,1, p < 0,01). After adjustment for conventional risk factors (age, gender, body mass index, smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia), an elevated homocysteine level remained an independent risk factor for Ht (OR 6,6, 95% CI 2,3-19,1, p < 0,001). The OR for Ht of 5 mmol/L increment in homocysteine level was 1,7 (95% CI 1,1-2,6, p < 0,001), and in multivariate analysis OR was 3,8 (95% CI 1,7-8,2, p < 0,001).
Conclusion An elevated plasma homocysteine level is a strong risk factor for hypertension. A 5 mmol/L increment in total homocysteine level may be associated with at least a twofold increase of risk for hypertension.
Abstract
Material and methods 88 consecutive hypertensive patients (62 men and 26 women, aged 18 to 72 years) and 120 healthy controls (87 men and 33 women, aged 32–81 years) were investigated. Homocysteine was assayed using Fluorescence Polarisation Immunoassay on the IMx Analyser made by Axis Biochemicals. Plasma folate and plasma vitamin B12 were assayed with chemiluminescency and IMMULITE Automated Analyser made by the Diagnostic Products Corporation.
Results Homocysteine concentrations were higher in patients than in controls (12,07 ± 5,1 vs. 10,72 ± 13 mmol/L, p < 0,001, adjusted for age). Elevated homocysteine level - defined as a level above the 90th percentile of the control distribution (ł 13,52 mmol/L) - was seen in 24% of the patients compared with 10% of the control group (p < 0,05). The odds ratio (OR) for Ht in persons with an elevated homocysteine level was 2,8 (95% CI 1,3-6,1, p < 0,01). After adjustment for conventional risk factors (age, gender, body mass index, smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia), an elevated homocysteine level remained an independent risk factor for Ht (OR 6,6, 95% CI 2,3-19,1, p < 0,001). The OR for Ht of 5 mmol/L increment in homocysteine level was 1,7 (95% CI 1,1-2,6, p < 0,001), and in multivariate analysis OR was 3,8 (95% CI 1,7-8,2, p < 0,001).
Conclusion An elevated plasma homocysteine level is a strong risk factor for hypertension. A 5 mmol/L increment in total homocysteine level may be associated with at least a twofold increase of risk for hypertension.
Keywords
homocysteine; hypertension; folic acid; vitamin B12
Title
Elevated Plasma Homocysteine Level as a Risk Factor for Hypertension
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
75-82
Published online
2002-04-25
Page views
761
Article views/downloads
1410
Bibliographic record
Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2002;6(2):75-82.
Keywords
homocysteine
hypertension
folic acid
vitamin B12
Authors
Jacek Kądziela
Magdalena Makowiecka-Cieśla
Zofia Dzielińska
Dariusz Sitkiewicz
Danuta Gaździk
Włodzimierz Szaroszyk
Walerian Piotrowski
Andrzej Januszewicz
Witold Rużyłło