Hyperhomocysteinemia in ulcerative colitis is related to folate levels.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence and clinical significance of hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcys), an independent factor for arterial and venous thrombosis, in a group of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).


METHODS
Fasting homocysteine (Hcys), folate, and vitamin B(12) serum levels were measured in 40 UC patients and 50 healthy controls. Clinical data regarding UC were gathered.


RESULTS
Median serum Hcys levels in UC patients were similar to controls (12.26 micromol/L vs 12.32 micromol/L), but the prevalence of hHcys was higher in UC patients than in controls (30% vs 10%, P = 0.028). UC significantly increased the risk of hHcys (adjusted odds ratio: 4.125; 95%CI: 1.26-13.44). Multivariate regression analysis showed that male sex, folate and vitamin B(12) deficiency or lower serum values were significant independent predictors of higher Hcys levels in UC patients (r(2) = 0.4; P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
HHcys is common in UC patients and it is related to folate and vitamin B(12) deficiency or lower serum values. It would be reasonable for patients with UC to receive folate and vitamin B complex supplements as a prophylactic measure.
Zezos
Petros
P
Division of Gastroenterology, 2(nd) Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, 49 Konstantinoupoleos Str., Thessaloniki 54642, Greece. zezosp@hol.gr
Papaioannou
Georgia
G
Nikolaidis
Nikolaos
N
Vasiliadis
Themistoclis
T
Giouleme
Olga
O
Evgenidis
Nikolaos
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12