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Hyperhomocysteinaemia in Behçet's Disease

Amira Hamzaoui1, Olfa Harzallah, Rim Klii

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.

Biochemistry Research International
|December 29, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition of high homocysteine levels, is elevated in Behçet's disease (BD) patients and correlates with disease activity. This finding suggests a potential role for homocysteine in BD pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia has been implicated in various inflammatory and vascular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma total homocysteine levels and the pathogenesis and activity of Behçet's disease.
  • To determine if hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for BD.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 54 BD patients and 50 healthy controls.
  • Exclusion of participants with conditions affecting homocysteine levels.
  • Measurement of serum homocysteine concentrations in all participants.

Main Results:

  • Mean serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in BD patients compared to healthy controls (P < .001).
  • Elevated homocysteine levels were observed in patients with active BD (P = .04) and in males (P = .05).
  • No significant correlation was found between homocysteine levels and specific clinical manifestations of BD.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma total homocysteine levels are increased in patients with Behçet's disease.
  • Elevated homocysteine is correlated with BD disease activity.
  • Homocysteine levels do not appear to be associated with specific clinical involvement in BD.

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