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[Study of unmatched cases and controls: hyperhomocysteinaemia and chronic ischaemic cardiopathy]

R Gallego-Luis1, A Ruiz-García, F J Gordillo-López

  • 1Unidad de Lípidos y Prevención Cardiovascular, Area 10 Atención Primaria IMSALUD, Madrid, Spain.

Atencion Primaria
|May 31, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is significantly associated with chronic ischaemic heart disease. Higher levels of hyperhomocysteinaemia (>/=12 micromol/L) showed a stronger association with this condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Chronic ischaemic heart disease (CIHD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
  • Hyperhomocysteinaemia, elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine, is increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Understanding the specific association between hyperhomocysteinaemia and CIHD is crucial for risk stratification and prevention strategies.

Purpose:

  • To investigate and quantify the association between varying levels of hyperhomocysteinaemia and the prevalence of chronic ischaemic heart disease.
  • To determine if higher thresholds of hyperhomocysteinaemia correlate with a stronger risk of developing CIHD.

Summary:

  • A case-control study involving patients aged over 35 was conducted at Pintores Health Centre, Madrid.
  • Analysis revealed significantly higher average homocysteine levels in CIHD cases (12.74 micromol/L) compared to controls (10.07 micromol/L).
  • Hyperhomocysteinaemia (> or =15 micromol/L) was associated with a 2.76-fold increased risk of CIHD, with the association strengthening to an odds ratio of 3.26 when using a threshold of > or =12 micromol/L.

Impact:

  • The findings highlight hyperhomocysteinaemia as a significant, independent risk factor for chronic ischaemic heart disease.
  • Establishing specific homocysteine thresholds (>/=12 micromol/L) provides valuable clinical markers for identifying individuals at higher risk.
  • This research supports the potential benefit of monitoring and managing homocysteine levels in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Abstract

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