Long-term prognostic significance of homocysteine in middle-aged and elderly.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association among increased levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy), all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular events.

METHODS

Hcy was measured in 670 middle-aged and elderly subjects with no previous manifest cardiovascular disease. The follow-up period was 15 years.

RESULTS

Subjects with Hcy ≥ 10.8 μmol/l (n = 231) had a significant higher incidence of all-cause mortality (p < 0.001) and CV events (p < 0.001) compared with subjects with Hcy < 10.8 μmol/l (n = 439). However, there was no association on high levels of Hcy and VTE events or stroke.

CONCLUSION

Increased levels of Hcy are associated with all-cause mortality and CV events.