Plasma levels of homocysteine in Buerger's sufferers and healthy heavy smokers and non-smokers.

BACKGROUND

Our aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between homocysteine levels and Buerger's disease in a case-control study.

METHODS

25 patients with Buerger's disease based on Shionoya's clinical criteria, and 25 heavy smokers along with 25 healthy non-smokers (control) were recruited for this study. All groups were matched for age. Plasma homocysteine levels were measured in each patient and then compared between the three groups.

RESULTS

The mean plasma concentration of homocysteine was 16.88 mmol/L in the Buerger sufferers; as for the smoker (group 2) and control (group 3) groups, the level was as low as 13.89 and 13.56 mmol/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with thromboangiitis obliterans, especially those with a progressive course, benefit from the hyperhomocysteinemia screening test.