Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia, but not methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutation, as a risk factor in branch retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether hyperhomocyst(e)inemia and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation are associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).


METHODS
Retrospective, case-control study.


METHODS
The study cohort consisted of 84 consecutive patients with branch retinal vein occlusion and 84 controls, matched for age and gender.


METHODS
Fasting plasma homocyst(e)ine, folate, and vitamin B(12) levels, MTHFR C677T genotypes.


RESULTS
Mean plasma homocyst(e)ine levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (11.4 +/- 4.3 micromol/l vs. 9.9 +/- 2.8 micromol/l; P = 0.002). An increase of plasma homocyst(e)ine level by 1 micromol/l was associated with an odds ratio of 1.19 (95% confidence interval 1.06-1.34; P = 0.004). Mean plasma folate levels were significantly lower in patients than in the control group (4.5 +/- 2.1 ng/ml vs. 5.6 +/- 2.1 ng/ml; P = 0.007). The prevalence of the homozygous genotype of the MTHFR C677T mutation did not differ significantly between patients and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that hyperhomocyst(e)inemia, but not homozygosity for the MTHFR C677T mutation, is associated with BRVO. Increased plasma homocyst(e)ine levels in our study are not the result of an increased prevalence of the homozygous genotype of MTHFR C677T mutation.
Weger
Martin
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria. martin.weger@kfunigraz.ac.at
Stanger
Olaf
O
Deutschmann
Hannes
H
Temmel
Werner
W
Renner
Wilfried
W
Schmut
Otto
O
Quehenberger
Franz
F
Semmelrock
Jürgen
J
Haas
Anton
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D000587:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors / Q000235:genetics*; D017354:Point Mutation; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D000587:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D014805:Vitamin B 12