Hyperhomocysteinemia as a Risk Factor for Intracranial Aneurysms: A Case-Control Study
Jefferson Rosi1, Barbara A Morais1, Lucas S Pecorino2
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
World Neurosurgery
|July 28, 2018
Summary
This study found no link between high homocysteine levels and intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Further research is needed to understand the causes of IAs and develop effective screening methods.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Science
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Homocysteine (HHcy) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases due to its thrombogenic and endothelial injury effects.
- The role of HHcy in the development and screening of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) remains largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and the presence of intracranial aneurysms (IAs).
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 180 patients (142 with IAs, 38 controls) was conducted.
- Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as homocysteine levels > 15 μmol/L.
- Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoking status.
Main Results:
- Median homocysteine levels were similar between IA cases and controls (10.5 vs. 10.7 μmol/L, P=0.450).
- A trend towards higher HHcy prevalence in the case group (20.4% vs. 7.9%) was observed, but did not reach statistical significance (P=0.073).
- After multivariate adjustment, HHcy showed no significant association with IAs (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.30-5.97, P=0.703).
Conclusions:
- This study did not find a significant association between hyperhomocysteinemia and intracranial aneurysms.
- The findings suggest HHcy may not be a relevant factor in the etiology or screening of IAs.
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