title: [Homocysteinemia and coronary artery disease: a case-control study in a Tunisian population].
abstract: We have determined the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia and tested its relationship with coronary heart disease in Tunisian patients. The study included 70 angiogrphically proven coronary patients and 140 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Plasma homocysteine folate and vitamin B12 were analyzed by immunoenzymatic methods. Hyperhomocysteinemia was considered for plasma homocysteine concentration >17 micromol/L. Mean plasma homocysteine concentration and hyperhomocysteinemia prevalence were significantly (p<0.001) higher in patients (16.3 +/- 7.9 micromol/L and 29%) than controls (12.6 +/- 4.0 micromol/L and 10%). The association between hyperhomocysteinemia and coronary heart disease persisted after adjusting on main cardiovascular risk factors (multi adjusted odds ratio, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.18-7.59; p=0.02). No association was observed between hyperhomocysteinemia and coronary disease severity and extent. This study showed an independent association between hyperhomocysteinemia and coronary heart disease, suggesting a role of hyperhomocysteinemia in atherothrombogenesis. However, causal relationship is not yet established. Until results of homocysteine-lowering therapy trials become available, hyperhomocysteinemia should be researched and treated in coronary heart disease patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de recherche Lab-SM-01, hôpital la Rabta, Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Souissi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feki
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mourali
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Enneifer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Omar
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sanhaji
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mechmeche
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mebazaa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaabachi
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine