title: Relationship between homocysteine levels and hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Homocysteine has been linked to atherosclerosis and hypertension (HT) in the general population. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effect of homocysteine on blood pressure and arterial stiffness in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined whether homocysteine is associated with HT and arterial stiffness in women with SLE.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 99 women with SLE without a history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus and 101 matched controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were analyzed for homocysteine levels, cardiovascular risk factors, and arterial stiffness assessed by means of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Associations between homocysteine, systolic blood pressure (SBP), PWV, and HT were tested using univariate and multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Homocysteine levels (mean ± SD 12.3 ± 4.8 versus 9.3 ± 3.8 μmoles/liter), PWV (mean ± SD 7.54 ± 1.1 versus 7.10 ± 1.1 meters/second), SBP (mean ± SD 119 ± 13 versus 115 ± 12 mm Hg), and the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (23% versus 7%) and HT (43% versus 12%) were significantly higher in women with SLE (P < 0.050 for all). In the univariate analysis, homocysteine correlated positively with SBP (P = 0.001) and PWV (P = 0.023) in women with SLE but not in controls. In the multiple linear regression analysis, SBP was independently associated with homocysteine and body mass index (BMI) in women with SLE. Similarly, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, homocysteine levels (or hyperhomocysteinemia), BMI, and daily prednisone dose were independently associated with HT in women with SLE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Homocysteine was independently associated with SBP and HT in women with SLE, but not in controls. Elevated homocysteine levels could increase the risk of HT in SLE.
authors.affiliation: Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: José Mario
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sabio
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vargas-Hitos
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez-Bordonado
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Navarrete-Navarrete
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Díaz-Chamorro
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olvera-Porcel
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zamora-Pasadas
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Alonso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015995:Prevalence; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006710:Homocysteine; D011241:Prednisone