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Hyperhomocysteinemia is independently associated with albuminuria in the population-based CoLaus study

Franziska Marti1, Peter Vollenweider, Pedro-Manuel Marques-Vidal

  • 1University Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Lausanne and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.

BMC Public Health
|September 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Elevated homocysteine and uric acid levels are linked to albuminuria in adults, independent of kidney function. Hyperhomocysteinemia poses a significant risk, comparable to hypertension or diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Risk Factors
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Elevated serum homocysteine and uric acid are known cardiovascular risk factors.
  • The independent association of these markers with kidney function, specifically glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria, requires further investigation.
  • Understanding the causal link between homocysteine and albuminuria through MTHFR polymorphisms is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if serum homocysteine and uric acid levels are associated with GFR and albuminuria independently.
  • To investigate the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and albuminuria for causal insights.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional, population-based study of 5913 Caucasian individuals.
  • Defined hyperhomocysteinemia as serum homocysteine ≥ 15 μmol/L.
  • Defined albuminuria as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio > 30 mg/g.

Main Results:

  • Serum uric acid positively correlated with homocysteine (r = 0.246-0.287, P < 0.001).
  • Albuminuria prevalence increased with higher homocysteine categories (P for trend < 0.005).
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia (OR = 2.22) and elevated uric acid (OR = 1.27) were independently associated with albuminuria, irrespective of hypertension and diabetes. MTHFR alleles linked to higher homocysteine increased albuminuria risk.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum homocysteine and uric acid are independently associated with albuminuria in the general adult population.
  • These associations persist regardless of renal function.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia presents a significant risk for albuminuria, comparable to hypertension or diabetes.
Abstract

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