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Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for strokes in ghanaian adults
1Department of Medicine (Neurology unit), Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana.
Background:
Stroke is an increasing problem in Ghana and the West African sub-region. New and modifiable risk factors for stroke have gained prominence in the last decade but have not been adequately researched in West Africa.
Method:
This was a case-control study with plasma Homocysteine (Hcy) as an independent risk factor for stroke. 80 consecutive stroke patients with 80 age-sex matched controls were venesected in the fasting state for assay of Hcy and other biochemical parameters.
Results:
Mean Hcy level in stroke cases of 40.7 ± 9.5µmol/l was significantly higher than 16.8 ± 10.6µmol/l in controls [p<0.0001]. There was a significant association of hyperHcy with stroke [χ(2); p<0.0001]. OR of stroke calculated for quartiles of Hcy, demonstrated an increase in OR of 1.37 (25(th) percentile) to an OR of 3.80 (75(th) percentile).
Conclusions:
Hcy was elevated in patients with stroke and should be considered as a modifiable risk factor for stroke in Ghanaian adults.
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