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Homocysteine and folate levels as indicators of cerebrovascular accident

Authors Osunkalu V, Onajole A, Odeyemi K, Ogunnowo B, Sekoni A, Ayoola G, Adediran A, Akinde O, Adeyemo A

Published 14 July 2010 Volume 2010:1 Pages 131—134

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S9529

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4



VO Osunkalu1, AT Onajole2, KA Odeyemi2, BA Ogunnowo2, AO Sekoni2, GA Ayoola3, A Adediran1, OR Akinde4, AT Adeyemo1

1Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, 2Department of Community Health, 3Department of Pharmacognosy, 4Department of Morbid Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Homocysteinemia has been established as a risk factor for cardiovascular ­disorders by the American Heart Association.1 Cerebrovascular accident (stroke) is presently ranked as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine homocysteine and folate levels and some basic hematologic parameters in patients who sustain a cerebrovascular accident and those who do not.

Methodology: In total, 100 participants were recruited, comprising 40 clinically diagnosed stroke (hemorrhagic or thromboembolic) patients and 60 healthy control subjects. Plasma ­homocysteine and folate levels were measured. Anticoagulated whole blood samples were evaluated for hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) count, and mean cell volume (MCV).

Results: The mean age of stroke patients was 62 ± 12 years and that of controls was 55 ± 18 years (P = 0.1756). Mean plasma homocysteine levels for stroke patients and controls were 17.7 ± 4.4 µmol/L and 9.5 ± 2.4 µmol/L, respectively (P = 0.0000) and mean plasma folate levels for the groups were 6.5 ± 2.9 µg/dL and 4.0 ± 2.4 µg/dL (P = 0.0407). The MCV for stroke patients was significantly higher than that for controls (85 fl versus 82 fl, P = 0.04). Mean homocysteine levels correlated inversely with Hb and PCV (r = -0.08 and r = -0.122, respectively) and weakly with WBC (P = 0.125).

Conclusion: Homocysteinemia is a major predictor of cerebrovascular accident in the black Nigerian population.

Keywords: homocysteinemia, folate, cerebrovascular accident

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