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Homocysteine Blood Levels and Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification in Serbia
Zorana Vasiljevic1, Natasa Zlatic2, Dubravka Rajic2
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
Insights
Blood homocysteine (Hcy) levels were elevated in Serbian patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension. Low vitamin B12 may be linked to high Hcy, suggesting potential intervention points for cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Serbia faces high rates of coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension.
- Homocysteine (Hcy) is a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk.
- Investigating Hcy levels in Serbian patients is crucial for understanding local disease burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine blood homocysteine (Hcy) levels in Serbian patients with CAD and hypertension.
- To explore the relationship between Hcy levels and conventional risk factors in this population.
- To identify potential factors influencing Hcy levels in the context of Serbian health.
Main Methods:
- Assessed Hcy levels in 123 Serbian patients: 53 with chronic CAD and 70 with hypertension (HTA) but without CAD.
- Analyzed Hcy levels in relation to diagnosed conditions and conventional cardiovascular risk factors.
- Collected data on patient demographics, medical history, and lifestyle factors.
Main Results:
- Elevated mean Hcy levels (16.0 ± 7.0 μmol/L) were observed in both CAD and HTA groups, with no significant difference between them.
- Hypercholesterolemia was prevalent in 81% of CAD patients and 92% of HTA patients.
- No single conventional risk factor (diabetes, smoking, etc.) individually impacted Hcy levels; however, low vitamin B12 levels showed a potential association with high Hcy.
Conclusions:
- High Hcy levels are common in Serbian patients with CAD and hypertension.
- Conventional risk factors do not appear to independently influence Hcy levels in this cohort.
- Low vitamin B12 may be a contributing factor to elevated Hcy, warranting further investigation into dietary and lifestyle influences specific to Serbia.
Introduction:
The current study aims to investigate the blood Hcy levels in patients with CAD and hypertension in Serbia, a country with a high incidence and mortality of both diseases.
Methods:
The level of Hcy in the Serbian population was assessed in 123 patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension. There were 53 patients with chronic CAD and 70 patients with hypertension (HTA), but without CAD.
Results:
The Hcy levels were high in both groups of patients (the mean Hcy level of 16.0 ± 7.0 μmol/L) without a statistical difference between the patients in the CAD (14.9 ± 7.3 μmol/L) and hypertension (16.7 ± 6.7 μmol/L) groups. Hypercholesterolemia was found in 81% of the patients with CAD and 92.0% of the patients with HTA, as a common concern across both clinical conditions. It was also found that not a single conventional risk factor (diabetes, hypertension, the smoking status, the family history of CAD, and hyperlipidemia) may individually influence Hcy levels. By contrast, the low levels of vitamin B12 may be related to the high levels of Hcy.
Conclusion:
Given the fact that it is known that various factors interact and influence Hcy levels and associated cardiovascular risks, specific dietary habits, lifestyle and the other Serbia-specific possible factors were done.
