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Homocyst(e)ine and risk of cardiovascular disease in the multiple risk factor intervention trial

R W Evans1, B J Shaten, J D Hempel

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.

Indian Heart Journal
|May 8, 2001
PubMed

Insights

This study found no link between homocyst(e)ine levels and heart disease risk in men. Homocyst(e)ine (Hcy) did not significantly differ between heart attack patients and controls, suggesting it may not be an independent risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
  • Biomarkers and Risk Factors
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Homocyst(e)ine (Hcy) has been proposed as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Previous studies suggest a potential association, necessitating further investigation in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum homocyst(e)ine concentrations and the risk of myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease death.
  • To evaluate homocyst(e)ine as a potential independent risk factor for heart disease.

Main Methods:

  • A nested case-control study utilizing serum samples from 712 men in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT).
  • Serum homocyst(e)ine levels were analyzed from samples stored up to 20 years.
  • Cases included non-fatal myocardial infarctions and coronary heart disease deaths, with controls matched for comparison.

Main Results:

  • Mean homocyst(e)ine concentrations were similar between cases and controls for both myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease deaths.
  • No significant increase in odds ratios for heart disease events was observed across increasing quartiles of homocyst(e)ine.
  • A weak association was noted between homocyst(e)ine levels and C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker.

Conclusions:

  • This prospective study found no significant association between serum homocyst(e)ine concentration and the risk of myocardial infarction or coronary heart disease death.
  • The findings do not support homocyst(e)ine as an independent risk factor for heart disease in this cohort.
  • Further research may be needed to clarify the role of homocyst(e)ine in cardiovascular pathology.

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