Homocysteine measurements in geriatric patients

Abstract

Objective. Homocysteine measurements may be relevant in geriatric medicine as homocysteine has been identified as an independent risk factor for prevalent disorders such as occlusive arterial vascular disease, cognitive impairment and dementia. The aim of the present study was to study diagnostic correlates of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) in geriatric in‐patients. Material and methods. Blood samples for the analysis of tHcy and related factors like serum vitamin B₁₂, serum folate, red blood cell folate and clinical data were collected from geriatric patients (n = 114) in stable clinical condition. Results. Almost 40 % of the patients had tHcy values above 20 µmol/L. tHcy correlated significantly with serum folate, serum vitamin B₁₂, serum creatinine and congestive heart failure, but not with red blood cell folate, cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease or cognitive impairment. Conclusions. Hyperhomocysteinaemia seems to be frequent in geriatric patients and might primarily be an indicator of low folate and high creatinine values.

• Congestive heart failure
• folate
• geriatrics
• homocysteine
• validity
• vitamin B₁₂

Acknowledgements

The study was funded by the University of Oslo and Ullevaal University Hospital. We express our appreciation to Magritt Skjølsvold, Helge Raeder and Tor Paaske Utheim for their assistance in this project.