[Homocysteine related vitamins and lifestyles in the elderly people: The SENECA study]

The SENECA study started in 1988 and consisted of a random age- and sex-stratified sample of inhabitants of 19 European towns. A total of 2.100 elderly people were finally able to be included in the study. The present study includes results for total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and the related vitamins folate, B12 and B6. Other style factors as alcohol consumption or smoking have been also evaluated. The lowest values for tHcy corresponded to Mediterranean countries (Portugal, Spain, and Greece), compared to central or northern european countries (Netherland or Belgium (differences higher than 4 micromol/l). In addition, an interesting north-south gradient is observed, with the lowest values for tHcy corresponding to Betanzos (Spain), 12.38 micromol/l followed by both centers in Portugal, whereas the highest concentrations are found in Maki (Poland), 21.92 pmol/I and Culemborg (Netherlands), 20.41 mircromol/l. The mean tHcy concentration for all the European centers was 15.98 micromol/l. Effect of sex has been also evaluated: those countries with the lowest tHcy concentration (i.e. Spain or Portugal) show significant (p < 0.01) higher tHcy concentration in men vs women, whereas these differences by sex are not observed in countries with the highest tHcy values. The effect of "aging" within the same individuals after ten years of follow up was also evaluated: a significant difference was observed for the same individuals in the 10-years period. Plasma folic acid was compared to tHcy values, resulting also in marked differences between north and southern countries. Plasma vitamin B12 also shows a close pattern. Either plasma folate or vitamin B12 were shown as strong predictors of tHcy. This effect was not observed for plasma vitamin B6. Total alcohol intake was positively and significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with tHcy ("no" intake corresponded with the lowest tHcy, 14.3 micromol/l vs "high" intake-over 30 g/d-with the highest tHcy, 17 micromol/l). The type of alcoholic beverage was also evaluated: wine and spirits drinkers showed positively significant (p < 0.005) correlation whereas beer intake was not significantly associated. Smoking was also analysed: "never" smokers had the lowest tHcy concentration (13.82 +/- 0.20 micromol/1) vs "current" smokers (16.64 +/- 0.35 pmol/1), a significant difference (p < 0.05).