Distribution and correlates of elevated total homocyst(e)ine: the Stroke Prevention in Young Women Study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the distribution and correlates of elevated total homocyst(e)ine (tHcy) concentration in a population of premenopausal black and white women.


METHODS
Data from the Stroke Prevention in Young Women Study (N = 304), a population-based study of risk factors for stroke in women aged 15-44 years of age, were used to determine the distribution and correlates of elevated tHcy in black (N = 103) and white women (N = 201).


RESULTS
The mean tHcy level for the population was 6.58 micromol/L (range 2.89-26.5 micromol/L). Mean tHcy levels increased with age, cholesterol level, alcohol intake, and number of cigarettes smoked (all: p < 0.05). There were no race differences (mean tHcy 6.72 micromol/L among blacks and 6.51 micromol/L among whites; p = 0.4346). Regular use of multivitamins and increasing education was associated with significant reductions in tHcy concentration. Approximately 13% of the sample had elevated tHcy levels, defined as a tHcy concentration > or = 10.0 micromol/L. Multivariate-adjusted correlates of elevated tHcy included education > 12 vs. < or = 12 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.2-0.8); smoking > or = 20 cigarettes/day vs. nonsmokers (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1-7.3); and the regular use of multivitamins (OR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2-0.9).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that a substantial proportion of healthy young premenopausal women have tHcy levels that increase their risk for vascular disease. A number of potentially modifiable behavioral and environmental factors appear to be significantly related to elevated tHcy levels in young women.
Giles
W H
WH
Cardiovascular Health Branch, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Kittner
S J
SJ
Croft
J B
JB
Wozniak
M A
MA
Wityk
R J
RJ
Stern
B J
BJ
Sloan
M A
MA
Price
T R
TR
McCarter
R J
RJ
Macko
R F
RF
Johnson
C J
CJ
Feeser
B R
BR
Earley
C J
CJ
Buchholz
D W
DW
Stolley
P D
PD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D044383:Black People; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017697:Premenopause; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine