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Homocysteine (Hcy) follow-up study

Arnon Blum1, Ihsan Hijazi, Michal Mashiach Eizenberg

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine A, Poria Medical Center, Lower Galilee, Israel. navablum@hotmail.com

Clinical and Investigative Medicine. Medecine Clinique Et Experimentale
|August 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine (Hcy) levels increase mortality risk in men with atherosclerosis. However, long-term treatment with medications like Aspirin significantly improved survival rates in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Research
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and venous thrombosis.
  • Elevated homocysteine (Hcy) levels predict mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with atherosclerosis risk factors and high homocysteine concentrations.
  • To assess the relationship between homocysteine levels and mortality in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A 5-year follow-up study of 89 patients with atherosclerosis risk factors.
  • Data collection included plasma total homocysteine (Hcy) levels, clinical examinations, medical record reviews (smoking, comorbidities, medications), and statistical analysis using SPSS.
  • Patient outcomes, including survival, were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Men with high Hcy concentrations had a significantly higher mortality rate (17%) compared to those with normal levels (P<0.05).
  • Homocysteine levels did not impact survival in women.
  • No association was found between Hcy and diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, or hypertension.
  • Long-term treatment with Beta Blockers, ACE inhibitors, Calcium Channel blockers, and particularly Aspirin, significantly reduced mortality in patients with high Hcy (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia may negatively affect survival in men.
  • Medications including Beta Blockers, ACE inhibitors, Calcium Channel Blockers, and Aspirin can alter the natural course of high Hcy patients by preventing death.
Abstract

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