J Korean Med Sci.  2010 Apr;25(4):509-516. 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.4.509.

Major Determinants of Serum Homocysteine Concentrations in a Korean Population

• Kim HJ
• Kim MK
• Kim JU
• Ha HY
• Choi BY

• KMID: 1792916
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2010.25.4.509

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the factors that determine serum homocysteine concentrations in Korean population. In a community-based study, 871 participants completed detailed questionnaires and physical examination. We found that increased age, male sex, family history of stroke, deficiencies of serum folate and vitamin B12, and elevated serum creatinine significantly increased the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia. However, hormonal and behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol drinking, coffee consumption, and sedentary time) were not associated with the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia. The risk of hyperhomocysteinemia was steeply increased in subjects with two or more risk factors among four selected risk factors (deficiencies of serum folate and vitamin B12, elevated creatinine, and family history of stroke) compared to subjects who did not have any risk factors, especially subjects over the age of 65 yr (odds ratio [OR], 33.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.71-302.0 in men; OR, 39.2; 95% CI, 7.95-193.2 in women). In conclusion, increased age, male sex, family history of stroke, deficiencies of serum folate and vitamin B12, and elevated serum creatinine are important determinants of serum homocysteine concentrations with interaction effects between these factors.

Keyword

Homocysteine; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Folic Acid; Vitamin B12; Creatinine; Stroke; Behavior; Hormones; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
*Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Female
Folic Acid/blood
Homocysteine/*blood
Humans
Hyperhomocysteinemia/blood
Male
Middle Aged
Odds Ratio
Questionnaires
Risk Factors
Vitamin B 12/blood
Young Adult
Homocysteine
Folic Acid
Vitamin B 12

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