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The homocysteine distribution: (mis)judging the burden
A de Bree1, W M Verschuren, H J Blom
1National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. angelika.de.bree@rivm.nl
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|May 5, 2001
Summary
Dutch adults have higher plasma total homocysteine (P-tHcy) levels compared to other European populations. This study provides precise data on P-tHcy distribution in the Netherlands, highlighting challenges in interlaboratory comparisons.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Plasma total homocysteine (P-tHcy) is a risk factor for various health conditions.
- Accurate population-level data on P-tHcy is crucial for public health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the distribution of nonfasting plasma total homocysteine (P-tHcy) in a representative Dutch adult population.
- To investigate potential interlaboratory variations affecting P-tHcy measurements.
- To provide precise and valid P-tHcy data for the Netherlands.
Main Methods:
- A random sample of 3025 Dutch adults (aged 20-65 years) was analyzed for nonfasting P-tHcy.
- Stability and comparative studies were conducted to assess measurement variations.
- Interlaboratory differences were quantified by comparing results with a Norwegian laboratory.
Main Results:
- The geometric mean P-tHcy was 13.9 micromol/L in Dutch men and 12.6 micromol/L in women.
- Immediate cooling/centrifugation was not performed, potentially causing a slight overestimation (0.4 micromol/L).
- A systematic difference of -2.4 micromol/L was found between the Dutch and Norwegian laboratories.
Conclusions:
- The P-tHcy status in the Netherlands appears less favorable than in other European countries.
- Direct comparison of P-tHcy data across different laboratories is complex and requires knowledge of interlaboratory differences.