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Hyperhomocysteinaemia is associated with uveitis but not with deep venous thrombosis in Behcet's disease

Moncef Feki1, Habib Houman, Mehdi Ghannouchi

  • 1LAB-SM-01 Research Laboratory & Department of Biochemistry, Rabta University Hospital, 1007 Jebbari, Tunis, Tunisia. moncef.feki@rns.tn

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|December 4, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Behcet's disease patients have higher plasma homocysteine levels, increasing the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia. This elevation is linked to disease severity and uveitis, suggesting homocysteine measurement in BD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Medicine
  • Biochemistry
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disorder.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated plasma homocysteine, is a risk factor for vascular disease.
  • The prevalence and clinical associations of hyperhomocysteinemia in BD are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in Behcet's disease patients.
  • To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine levels and clinical manifestations of BD.
  • To assess the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and uveitis in BD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study comparing 59 BD patients with 118 healthy controls.
  • Plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels measured using automated immunoassay.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia defined as plasma homocysteine >15 micromol/l.

Main Results:

  • BD patients exhibited significantly higher plasma homocysteine concentrations and a greater prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia compared to controls (25.4% vs. 9.3%).
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia in BD was associated with male gender, disease severity, and uveitis (OR, 5.32; p=0.008).
  • The association between hyperhomocysteinemia and uveitis remained significant after multi-adjustment (OR, 7.46; p=0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Plasma homocysteine levels are elevated in Behcet's disease patients.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a potential risk factor for uveitis in BD.
  • Measurement of plasma homocysteine in BD patients is recommended, with consideration for B-vitamin supplementation in those with elevated levels.

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