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Hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: a case control study
Hui-Chen Cheng1, Jorn-Hon Liu2, Shui-Mei Lee1
1Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Elevated homocysteine levels are linked to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). This finding suggests hyperhomocysteinemia may contribute to the development of PCV.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a significant cause of vision impairment.
- Elevated plasma homocysteine and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are known vascular disease risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine, serum hsCRP levels, and PCV.
- To determine if these biomarkers are risk factors for PCV development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study involving 119 PCV patients and 119 controls.
- Measurement of plasma homocysteine and serum hsCRP levels.
- Multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess associations.
Main Results:
- PCV patients had significantly higher median plasma homocysteine levels (12.20 µmol/L vs. 9.80 µmol/L).
- Serum hsCRP levels were slightly higher in the PCV group (0.16 mg/dl vs. 0.11 mg/dl).
- Each 1 µmol/L increase in homocysteine correlated with a 1.54-fold increased likelihood of PCV.
Conclusions:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with PCV.
- Elevated homocysteine may play a role in the pathogenesis of PCV.
Purpose:
To determine whether elevated plasma homocysteine and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, two established risk factors of vascular diseases, are associated with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).
Design:
Retrospective case-control study.
Methods:
One hundred and nineteen consecutive patients with PCV and 119 matched controls were enrolled in a tertiary hospital from September 2008 to June 2013. Plasma homocysteine and serum hsCRP levels were measured. Associations among plasma homocysteine, serum hsCRP levels and PCV were further evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.
Results:
The median plasma homocysteine level was significantly higher in patients with PCV than in the controls (12.20 µmol/L vs. 9.80 µmol/L, p<0.001). The median serum hsCRP level was slightly higher in the PCV group (0.16 mg/dl vs. 0.11 mg/dl in control group, p = 0.07). After multivariable logistic regression analysis, each 1 µmol/L increase of plasma homocysteine was associated with a 1.5-fold increase in likelihood of having PCV (OR, 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33-1.79, p<0.001).
Conclusions:
Hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with PCV and might play a role in the pathogenesis of PCV.
