title: Major determinants of serum homocysteine concentrations in a Korean population.
abstract: The objective of this study was to identify the factors that determine serum homocysteine concentrations in Korean population. In a community-based study, 871 participants completed detailed questionnaires and physical examination. We found that increased age, male sex, family history of stroke, deficiencies of serum folate and vitamin B12, and elevated serum creatinine significantly increased the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia. However, hormonal and behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol drinking, coffee consumption, and sedentary time) were not associated with the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia. The risk of hyperhomocysteinemia was steeply increased in subjects with two or more risk factors among four selected risk factors (deficiencies of serum folate and vitamin B12, elevated creatinine, and family history of stroke) compared to subjects who did not have any risk factors, especially subjects over the age of 65 yr (odds ratio [OR], 33.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.71-302.0 in men; OR, 39.2; 95% CI, 7.95-193.2 in women). In conclusion, increased age, male sex, family history of stroke, deficiencies of serum folate and vitamin B12, and elevated serum creatinine are important determinants of serum homocysteine concentrations with interaction effects between these factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Ja
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mi Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeong Uk
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hun Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Bo Youl
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12