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Homocysteine levels in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon
M al-Awami1, M Schillinger, T Maca
1Department of Medical Angiology, Clinical Institute for Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, University of Vienna, Austria. mahdi.alawami@akh-wien.ac.at
VASA. Zeitschrift Fur Gefasskrankheiten
|July 9, 2002
Summary
Patients with Raynaud
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Endocrinology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterized by vasomotor dysregulation, often linked to endothelial dysfunction.
- Elevated homocysteine levels are implicated in endothelial cell damage.
- Investigating homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 in RP patients is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare plasma homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 concentrations in patients with primary or secondary RP versus healthy individuals.
- To explore the potential role of homocysteine in the pathophysiology of RP.
- To identify potential biomarkers for RP.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing three groups: healthy individuals (n=45), primary RP (n=26), and secondary RP (n=42).
- Measurement of plasma fasting homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels.
- Statistical analysis including Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests for group comparisons.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher plasma homocysteine levels were observed in both primary and secondary RP patients compared to healthy controls (p=0.01).
- Adjusted analyses confirmed elevated homocysteine in RP patients (p < 0.0001).
- No significant differences in serum vitamin B12 or folate levels were found across the groups.
Conclusions:
- Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon exhibit elevated plasma homocysteine levels.
- Folate and vitamin B12 levels do not differ significantly between RP patients and healthy individuals.
- Elevated homocysteine may contribute to the vasomotor dysregulation seen in RP, offering new insights into its mechanisms.