Cardiovascular risk factors and homocysteine in epilepsy.
Epidemiological studies have found the risk for heart disease and stroke are increased in persons with epilepsy. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) have varying effects on serum lipids and homocysteine-an independent risk factor for coronary disease. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and smoking) and homocysteine were investigated in a multiethnic epilepsy population. Data included demographics, clinical factors, lab assessments and supplementation patterns. Mean age was 45 years (71 males and 94 females)-75 were African American, 27 Latino and 60 Caucasian. Fifty-two percent of participants had two or more cardiovascular risk factors when compared with rates for the general population of 28%. The Framingham risk score (FRS) assessment was also used to compare risk levels. Twenty-nine percent of men and 1% of women had a FRS indicating >5% level of risk, only 7% had a FRS>10%. Cardiovascular screening and primary preventative recommendations based on the American Heart Association and supplementation should be suggested for the adult epilepsy population when appropriate.
Elliott
John O
JO
The Ohio State University, Department of Neurology, 430 Means Hall, 1654 Upham Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, United States. John.Elliott@osumc.edu
Jacobson
Mercedes P
MP
Haneef
Zulfi
Z
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D006710:Homocysteine