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Is hyperhomocysteinemia relevant in patients with celiac disease?
Giovanni Casella1, Gabrio Bassotti, Vincenzo Villanacci
1Division of Internal Medicine, Desio General Hospital, 20033 Desio, Italy.
Insights
Hyperhomocysteinemia was found in 19.3% of celiac disease (CD) patients, but routine screening is not currently recommended due to moderate levels and low cardiovascular event rates.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Metabolism
Background:
- Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the small intestine.
- Hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated homocysteine levels, has been linked to various health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in adult celiac disease patients.
- To assess if hyperhomocysteinemia is a significant comorbidity in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 165 adult celiac disease patients was evaluated.
- Hyperhomocysteinemia was assessed between January 1998 and December 2008.
Main Results:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia was detected in 32 patients (19.3%).
- Most cases presented with moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (mean 25 mcg/ml).
- Only one patient reported a history of myocardial infarction.
Conclusions:
- Systematic screening for hyperhomocysteinemia is not currently justified in celiac disease patients.
- The clinical significance of moderate hyperhomocysteinemia in CD requires further investigation.
Aim:
To investigate whether this might be related to the presence of hyperhomocysteinemia.
Methods:
From January 1998 to December 2008, we evaluated the presence of hyperhomocysteinemia in a series of 165 adult celiac disease (CD) patients (138 females and 27 males, mean age 43 years).
Results:
Hyperhomocysteinemia was evident in 32 patients (19.3%), although most of them had moderate levels (mean value 25 mcg/ml; range 15-30). Only one patient had a history of myocardial infarction (heterozygosis for N5-N10-metil tetrahydrofolate reductase mutation).
Conclusion:
The systematic assessment of hyperhomocysteinemia seems, at present, unjustified in CD patients.
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