Hyperhomocysteinemia in association with male gender, advanced age, uric acid and metabolic syndrome: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Elevated homocysteine level has been proposed as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the connection between hyperhomocysteinemia with other factors for early detection of possible cardiovascular disease. Methods The data in this retrospectively designed cross-sectional study was retrieved from the health examination database in a medical center located in southern Taiwan in 2016. The correlation of hyperhomocysteinemia with sex, age, body mass index, waist circumference, lipid profile, blood pressure, uric acid, high sensitivity C-reactive protein and lipoprotein were investigated. Both simple and multiple stepwise logistic regression models were used for the assessment of their connection. Results A total of 878 subjects with mean age of 55.4 ± 10.8 years were included in the current study and 73 (9.1%) participants had elevated homocysteine levels. Simple logistic regression analysis showed elevated Hcy was significantly associated with sex (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04-0.31, P < 0.001), age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.05, P < 0.035), waist circumference (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, P = 0.001), HDL-C (OR 0.97, CI 0.95-0.99, P = 0.011), triglyceride (OR 1.00, CI 1.00-1.01, P = 0.002), SBP (OR 1.02, CI 1.01-1.03, P = 0.004), DBP (OR 1.04, CI 1.02-1.06, P = 0.001), sugar level (OR 1.01, CI 1.00-1.02, P = 0.021), uric acid (OR 1.39, CI 1.20-1.60, P < 0.001) and the presence of metabolic syndrome (OR 1.81, CI 1.12-2.93, P = 0.016). Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis was applied and the result showed that male gender (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.05-0.43, P < 0.001), advanced age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.05, P < 0.036), triglycerides (OR 1.002, 95% CI 1.001-1.004, P = 0.022), systolic blood pressure (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.03, P = 0.023) and uric acid (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07-1.47, P = 0.005) were significantly associated with the elevation of plasma homocysteine. Conclusions Several factors are associated with hyperhomocysteinemia in asymptomatic subjects including sex, age, uric acid and metabolic syndrome components. Among these factors, male, advanced age, systolic blood pressure, plasma level of triglyceride and uric acid were independently associated with hyperhomocysteinemia.