title: Serum homocysteine and folate but not vitamin B12 are predictors of CHD mortality in older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The associations of serum levels of homocysteine (tHcy), vitamin B(12), and folate with risk of all-cause and coronary heat disease (CHD) mortality is controversial, and the evidence in older adults is limited. The aim of this study was to examine whether serum folate, vitamin B(12), and tHcy independently predict risk of CHD-related and all-cause mortality in older adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum concentrations of folate, vitamin B(12), and tHcy were determined from blood samples obtained from 3010 Blue Mountains Eye Study participants (1997-99), aged ≥55 years. CHD and all-cause mortality was confirmed using the Australian National Death Index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Persons in the highest quartile of serum tHcy had increased risk of CHD mortality compared to those in the lowest quartile (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio, HR, 2.45, 95% CI 1.30-4.62). A significant continuous association was observed between serum tHcy and CHD mortality (HR per SD ( = 4.8 µmol/l) increase in serum tHcy 1.25, 95% CI 1.08-1.45), after multivariable-adjustment. A significant association between folate deficiency and CHD-mortality was found (multivariable-adjusted HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.01-2.29). Hyperhomocysteinaemia (>15 µmol/l) was a significant predictor of all-cause mortality (multivariable-adjusted HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.18-1.83). A significant interaction was observed between hyperhomocysteinaemia and folate deficiency for all-cause and CHD mortality (p for interaction = 0.03 and p for interaction = 0.05, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum tHcy and folate were independent predictors of CHD and all-cause mortality, while vitamin B(12) was not associated. As raised tHcy levels and folate deficiency are associated with poorer lifestyle, changes to a more healthful lifestyle among older adults may minimize the adverse vascular effects of elevated tHcy.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Vision Research, University of Sydney,Westmead Hospital, Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
authors.forename: Bamini
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gopinath
authors.forename: Victoria M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Flood
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rochtchina
authors.forename: Aravinda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thiagalingam
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12