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Vitamin B12 status, homocysteine and mortality amongst community-dwelling Irish elders

D J Robinson1, C O'Luanaigh, E Tehee

  • 1Mercer's Institute for Research on Ageing, St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. davidjrobinson@iol.ie

Irish Journal of Medical Science
|November 13, 2010
PubMed

Insights

High homocysteine levels, not vitamin B12, were linked to increased mortality in Irish elders. This suggests homocysteine

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to hyperhomocysteinemia, atherosclerosis, and mortality.
  • Elevated vitamin B12 levels have also been associated with increased mortality in specific patient groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between vitamin B12 and homocysteine status and mortality rates.
  • To examine these associations in a cohort of Irish community-dwelling elders over three years.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, community-based observational cohort study design was employed.
  • Data collected on vitamin B12 levels, homocysteine levels, and mortality over a 3-year period.

Main Results:

  • Individuals in the highest homocysteine quartile exhibited significantly increased mortality rates (14.68% vs. 7.32%).
  • This association between homocysteine and mortality was reduced when adjusted for cardiovascular history (stroke or myocardial infarction).
  • No significant relationship was found between vitamin B12 status and mortality during the study period.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin B12 levels were not associated with mortality rates in this elderly Irish population.
  • Elevated homocysteine levels are independently associated with increased mortality, potentially mediated by atherosclerotic disease mechanisms.
Abstract

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