An abnormal urinary excretion of glycine betaine may persist for years.
OBJECTIVE
Does abnormal betaine excretion persist?


METHODS
Patients (10) with abnormal excretion in 1998 were recalled in 2005. Subsequent urine samples were collected on 4 days from persistently abnormal subjects.


RESULTS
Half the 1998 abnormal patients were abnormal in 2005. Only 1/20 controls was abnormal (p=0.015). All patients with abnormal excretion in 1998 and 2005 had abnormal excretion on successive days while no controls did.


CONCLUSIONS
High betaine excretion may be chronic and a health risk.
Lever
Michael
M
Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand. michael.lever@chmeds.ac.nz
Atkinson
Wendy
W
George
Peter M
PM
Chambers
Stephen T
ST
D000368:Aged; D001622:Betaine / Q000652:urine*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D001622:Betaine