Hyperhomocysteinemia accompany with metabolic syndrome increase the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy in rural Chinese

Abstract

Background: To investigate the influence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in residents in rural Northeast China. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional baseline data analysis of 6837 subjects (mean age: 54±10 years) recruited from a rural area of China. Anthropometric indicators were measured according to standard methods. MetS was defined by the modified ATP III criteria. HHcy was defined according to the WHO standard: an Hcy level >15 μmol/L representing HHcy. Four groups were defined: non-HHcy & non-MetS, HHcy & non-MetS, MetS & non-HHcy and HHcy & MetS. Results: The left ventricular mass index for height2.7 (LVMH2.7) in both sexes was significantly higher in the HHcy & MetS group than in the non-HHcy & non-MetS group (females: 51.23±16.34 vs. 40.09±10.55 gm-2.7, P<0.001; males: 48.67±12.24 gm-2.7 vs. 42.42±11.38 gm-2.7, P<0.001). A similar result was observed in those groups when using the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) for body surface area to define LVH (females: 103.58±31.92 gm-2 vs. 86.63±20.47 gm-2, P<0.001; males: 106.10±24.69 gm-2 vs. 98.16±23.29 gm-2, P<0.001). The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that the HHcy & MetS group had a higher risk of LVH than the other three groups (OR: 1.628 for LVMI, P<0.001, OR: 2.433 for LVMH2.7, P<0.001). Moreover, subjects in the HHcy & non-MetS group [OR (95% CI): 1.297 (1.058, 1.591) for LVMI, P<0.05; OR (95% CI): 1.248 (1.044, 1.492) for LVMH2.7, P<0.05] also had a statistically greater risk of LVH than subjects in the non-HHcy & non-MetS group. The HHcy & non-MetS group was also found to be significantly and independently associated with LVH. Conclusion: Hyperhomocysteinemia has an independent effect on LVH. The combined effect of MetS and hyperhomocysteinemia might increase the strength of the abovementioned effects.