Comparative case-control study of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels in patients with epilepsy.
BACKGROUND
Increased blood homocysteine levels are a known cardiovascular risk factor. Epileptic patients on long-term treatment with antiepileptic drugs may present higher homocysteine levels and, consequently, a potential increase in cardiovascular risk.


METHODS
We conducted an observational case-control study to compare plasma levels of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin B12.


RESULTS
Our study included a total of 88 subjects: 52 patients with epilepsy and 36 controls. Epileptic patients showed higher homocysteine levels (P=.084) and lower levels of folic acid (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Homocysteine levels should be monitored in epileptic patients on long-term treatment with antiepileptic drugs. We suggest starting specific treatment in patients with high homocysteine levels.
Servicio Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España; Laboratorio neuroepigenética Navarrabiomed (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, España. Electronic address: lpfontes7@yahoo.es.
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Pulido Fontes
Servicio Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España.
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Pulido Fontes
Servicio Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España.
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Quesada Jiménez
Servicio Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España.
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Muruzabal Pérez
Servicio Neurología, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España; Laboratorio neuroepigenética Navarrabiomed (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Navarra, España.
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Mendioroz Iriarte
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D006710:Homocysteine; D002220:Carbamazepine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12
Antiepileptic drugs; Cardiovascular risk; Epilepsia; Epilepsy; Folic acid; Fármacos antiepilépticos; Hiperhomocisteinemia; Hyperhomocysteinaemia; Riesgo cardiovascular; Vitamin B(12); Vitamina B12; Ácido fólico