Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in an elderly population.
BACKGROUND
Currently, total hyperhomocysteinemia (tHHcy) is a well-known condition linked to a higher risk of vascular disease. Prevalence of HHcy increases in elderly persons as the risk associated with it persists. Because factors can be potentially reduced in the elderly, it is important to carry out epidemiologic studies of HHcy.


METHODS
Previously we described the prevalence of hypertension control in an elder population; now, in an observational cross-sectional simple blind study, total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration was determined in 196 of 400 patients from the original cohort.


RESULTS
Mean Hcy concentration was 13.2 ,amol/L (95% confidence interval 12.4-14.0; range, 5.0 to 48.9); 15.0 ,imol/L for men and 12.3 pAmol/L for women. Mean serum folic acid levels were 4.9 + 3.1 ng/mL (range, 2.0 to 20.0 ng/mL), and vitamin B12 levels were 384.8 314.1 pg/mL (range, 48.0 to 1500.0 pg/mL). Taking into account the reference values established by the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III study, HHcy was detected in 69.8% of all the subjects evaluated. The study showed that 76.2% of the men and 66.4% of the women had high Hcy levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The very high prevalence of tHHcy in the elderly population, and the consequent risks associated with it suggest that although there are no trials that effectively prove the benefit of tHcy decrease, nutritional intervention is still justified.
Janson
Jorge J
JJ
Sociedad Argentina de Medicina Vascular, and Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. jjanson@intramed.net.ar
Galarza
Carlos R
CR
Murúa
Alicia
A
Quintana
Irene
I
Przygoda
Pablo A
PA
Waisman
Gabriel
G
Camera
Luis
L
Kordich
Lucia
L
Morales
Margarita
M
Mayorga
Luis M
LM
Camera
Mario I
MI
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12