title: Results of B-vitamin supplementation study used in a prediction model to define a reference range for plasma homocysteine.
abstract: Because high plasma concentrations of homocysteine constitute an enhanced risk for premature coronary heart disease, it is necessary to establish a reference range for normal concentrations of plasma homocysteine. The frequency distribution of plasma homocysteine concentrations tails to the right, and the nonparametric approach is unsatisfactory for defining a normal plasma homocysteine reference range. By using subjects' responses to appropriate vitamin supplementation, we developed a mathematical prediction model to calculate the plasma homocysteine concentration that could be expected for each individual treated with a vitamin supplement. With this model, we can predict that plasma homocysteine concentrations will approach a normal frequency distribution with a 95% reference range (mean +/- 2 SD) of 4.9-11.7 mumol/L, provided the vitamin status of the study population is improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ubbink
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Vermaak
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Delport
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex