title: Homocysteine and carotid plaque stability: a cross-sectional study in Chinese adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the possible association of plasma total homocysteine with carotid plaque stability.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2010 to 2011. A stratified random sample of 2,919 Chinese participants aged 40 years or older was enrolled. Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured and carotid plaques were evaluated by ultrasonography. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association of homocysteine levels to the progression of carotid plaque development, while adjusting for demographics and vascular risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean level of plasma homocysteine in the subjects was 14.9 µmol/l. Along with increase in homocysteine level, the risk of advanced carotid plaque elevated (odds ratio = 1.28; 95% confidence interval = 1.09-1.51) after adjusting for age, sex, and other potential confounders. Stratified by sex, higher homocysteine level was strongly associated with advanced carotid plaque in men (OR = 1.41; 95% confidence interval = 1.17-1.70), but not in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that plasma level of homocysteine may be associated with advanced carotid plaque, which constitutes high risks of stroke, in male Chinese adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, School of General Practice and Continuing Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America; Department of Nutrition, Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Anxin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Queensland School of Population Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Yuming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Kailuan Hospital, Hebei United University, Tangshan, China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xingquan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, School of General Practice and Continuing Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; National Health and Family Planning Commission of People's Republic of China, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Wannian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine
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