[Increase of homocysteine in cardiovascular diseases in Hungary]

There are only very few epidemiological data about homocysteine levels in patients suffering from cardiovascular (CV) disease in Hungary, however, homocysteine is a newly recognized, independent risk factor of CV diseases.

Therefore, in the present study, data of 1010 East-Hungarian patients with signs of CV disease were analyzed retrospectively for correlation between the level of homocysteine and CV diseases, laboratory parameters, as well as genetic differences.

From the studied patient population a control ("healthy") group has been selected according to the following criteria: lack of previous stroke or stenosis of the carotid arteries or the lower extremities, lack of coronary artery stenosis more than 50%, no previous coronary intervention or an angiography diagnosed progression of the coronary atherosclerosis.

The level of homocysteine showed statistically significant negative linear correlation with HDL-cholesterol and the anti-atherogenic ApoAI, and showed a positive correlation with CRP and FXIII activities in the entire patient population. When compared to the control group, homocysteine level was significantly higher in patients with previous stroke or acute myocardial infarction, coronary stenosis, progressive coronary disease, physical inactivity, MTHFR gene polymorphism, low folate or vitamin B12 level in both men and women. In patients with type II diabetes the level of homocysteine was significantly higher only in women.

It can be concluded that the level of homocysteine in patients suffering from various CV diseases is high in Hungary. This may have a prognostic value, and shows that reduction of homocysteine level in these patients may be beneficial.