Homocysteine and metabolic risk factors in individuals with family history of premature ischemic stroke.

Mierzecki A, Bukowska H, Kłoda K, Chełstowski K, Gorący I, Naruszewicz M.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Family history of stroke is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was the evaluation of selected metabolic risk factors and association between the interaction of family history of premature ischemic stroke (PIS) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels with other risk factors in individuals with family history of PIS. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study enrolled 344 healthy individuals, including 143 with family history of PIS, and 201 individuals without family history of PIS (control group). RESULTS In group with family history of PIS, among females, significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-Ch), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), ApoB/ apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) and glucose values were found, while among males - significantly higher mean values of BMI, SBP, DBP, total cholesterol (TCh) TCh, LDL-Ch, ApoB/ApoA-I and lower ApoA-I. There was a significant interaction of family history of PISxHcy for TCh/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-Ch), HDL-Ch and triglyceride (TG) in females, and for TCh/HDL-Ch, TCh and TG in males. Higher Hcy levels coexisted with significantly higher values of TCh/HDL-Ch and TG levels, for both genders with family history of PIS, and with lower HDL-Ch levels in females, and higher TCh and LDL-Ch in males. CONCLUSIONS Males and females with family history of PIS are characterized with an unfavourable shift in the risk factor profile. This effect is additionally intensified with higher Hcy levels, what might be an indication for applying primary prevention in such individuals.