Key result
Serum homocysteine levels were significantly positively correlated with intima-media thickness across hypertensive and normotensive adolescents (r = 0.43, p < 0.001).
Why the study?
Is elevated serum homocysteine associated with increased intima-media thickness in hypertensive and normotensive adolescents?
Cross-Sectional (n=179)
Is elevated serum homocysteine associated with increased intima-media thickness in hypertensive and normotensive adolescents?
Effect estimate: r = 0.43
p-value: p=<0.001
Elevated serum homocysteine levels are significantly associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness in adolescents, suggesting a role in early vascular changes associated with hypertension.
May indicate early vascular risk in adolescents; hypothesis-generating and requires longitudinal confirmation before any clinical application.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In recent decades, elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy) have been found to be associated with an increased risk of vascular events. Additionally, in some case-control studies, hyperhomocysteinaemia has been found to be related to higher intima-media thickness (IMT), but the results are inconclusive. Therefore, in the present study we intended to assess the relationship between serum levels of Hcy and IMT in normotensive and hypertensive adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 59 normotensive 47 white coat hypertensive and 73 sustained hypertensive adolescents were included in our study. IMT of the common carotid arteries was measured by B-mode ultrasonography. Plasma NOx as well as homocysteine levels were measured in all cases. The relationship between IMT and Hcy and NOx were assessed by a pooled analysis. Additionally, serum levels of Hcy and NOx were compared between normotensives and hypertensive subgroups. RESULTS: IMT was elevated in hypertensive adolescents (means ± SD: 0.055 ± 0.01 cm) compared with normotensives (0.048 ± 0.008 cm, p < 0.01). Higher serum concentrations of homocysteine were measured in hypertensive teenagers (11.9 ± 7.25 µmol/l for hypertensive and 9.85 ± 3.12 µmol/l for normotensives respectively, p < 0.01). In contrast to this, serum NOx was lower in patients (28.8 ± 14.9 µmol/l) compared with controls (38.8 ± 7.6 µmol/l, p < 0.01). The pooling of homocysteine and IMT data of hypertensive and normotensive adolescents revealed a significant positive relationship between the two parameters (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that elevated serum levels of homocysteine may play a role in increased IMT in adolescent hypertension.
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Lengyel et al. (2011) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=179). Serum homocysteine levels was evaluated on Correlation between serum homocysteine and intima-media thickness (r = 0.43, p=<0.001). Serum homocysteine levels were significantly positively correlated with intima-media thickness across hypertensive and normotensive adolescents (r = 0.43, p < 0.001).
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