Plasma homocysteine levels and vitamin B status in patients with Pseudoexfoliation syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine and compare the plasma levels of homocysteine and vitamin B (B6, B12 and folate) in patients with Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), retinal vein occlusion with pseudoexfoliation (PEX+RVO) and in normal individuals.


METHODS
The current study was conducted in the Third Eye Clinic, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, between August 2004 and February 2005. Twenty cases with PEXS (Group 1), 20 cases with PEXG (Group 2), 16 cases with PEX+RVO (central or branch retinal vein occlusion) (Group 3) and 20 normal individuals (control group) were included in the study. Those who use vitamin supplements or drugs affecting the plasma homocysteine levels were excluded from the study.


RESULTS
Plasma homocysteine levels were 17.6+/-4.4 mmol/l in Group 1, 18.5+/-4.5 mmol/l in Group 2, 22.2+/-6.0 mmol/l in Group 3, and 14.0+/-3.1 mmol/l in the control group. It was highest in Group 3 (p<0.001). The ratio of hyperhomocysteinemia was calculated as 35% (Group 1), 45% (Group 2), 68.7% (Groups 3) and 15% (control). These values were statistically higher in the groups with PEXS than in the control group (p=0.009). We did not find any statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to the levels of vitamin B6 and B12 (p>0.05), but the level of folate was lowest in Group 3 (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for thromboembolic vasculopathy in patients with PEXS and PEXG. Therefore, vitamin B supplementation should be considered in these patients when hyperhomocysteinemia is detected.
Saricaoglu
M Sinan
MS
Third Eye Clinic, Ankara Numune Training ana Research Hospital, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. msinansarica@yahoo.com
Karakurt
Ahmet
A
Sengun
Ahmet
A
Hasiripi
Hikmet
H
D000368:Aged; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014421:Turkey; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000097:blood*
D006710:Homocysteine; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12