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Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency: A cross-sectional study in a rural, elderly population of Shanxi China

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

To report the association of lifestyle factors and plasma vitamin B-12 with hyperhomocysteinemia in a large sample of men and women living in a region of China where there is an increased risk of NTDs.

Design

Community-based, cross-sectional study of Lvliang City, Shanxi Province, China.

Setting

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a sensitive marker of vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency.

Participants

A total of 2355 (1044 men and 1311 women) participants born before 1 January 1958 (≥55 years of age) and living in Lvliang City for at least 2 months a year were included.

Measurements

The participants were assessed regarding demographic characteristics, height, weight, as well as having a physical examination and blood sampling for serum cholesterol, total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, and vitamin B12 levels.

Results

The median (25th–75th percentile) tHcy concentration was 21.5 (15.8–33.6) µmol/L in men and 18.0 (13.4–24.8) µmol/L in women. The overall prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (tHcy ≥15 µmol/L) was 72.6% (84.3% in men and 63.2% in women), inversely correlated with folate (r=–0.230, P=0.006) and vitamin B-12 (r=–0.540, P<0.001), and positively correlated with uric acid (r=0.054, P<0.001). Vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency, older age, and male gender were associated with elevated tHcy; with vitamin B-12 deficiency being the strongest.

Conclusions

Plasma tHcy concentration and hyperhomocysteinemia were significantly higher in this population than in previously studied populations. Vitamin B-12 and folate supplementation, concomitant lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, and lipid-lowering treatments may help to decrease plasma tHcy concentrations and reduce the CVD risk in this population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No. 85, Jiefang Nan Street, Yingze District, Taiyuan City, PRC

    J. Zhang, T.-T. Liu, W. Zhang, Y. Li, Xiao-Yuan Niu, Y.-L. Fang, L.-S. Ma & C.-X. Li

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  1. J. Zhang
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  2. T.-T. Liu
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  3. W. Zhang
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Correspondence to Xiao-Yuan Niu.

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Two authors contributed equally to the work.

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Zhang, J., Liu, TT., Zhang, W. et al. Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency: A cross-sectional study in a rural, elderly population of Shanxi China. J Nutr Health Aging 20, 594–601 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0650-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0650-5

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