Hyperhomocysteinemia Is Associated With Deep Vein Thrombosis In Nigerian Patients

Background Hyperhomocysteinemia is a modifiable risk factor associated with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Low serum concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate are modifiable causes of hyperhomocysteinemia. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in Nigerian patients with DVT and also to assess the association of homocysteine with vitamin B12 and folate. Patients and methods A case-control study was carried out in which serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels were measured in 45 Doppler ultrasound confirmed cases of DVT and 43 controls. Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined by serum levels more than 15.0 mu mol/l, low serum folate less than 3 mu g/l, and low serum vitamin B12 less than 160 ng/l. Results The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in DVT patients was 20 (44.4%) compared with four (9.35%) in the control (P<0.001). The mean serum folate and vitamin B12 levels of DVT patients were 8.7 +/- 4.8 and 725 +/- 475, while that of the controls were 9.3 +/- 3.8 mu g/l and 821 +/- 393 ng/l (P=0.51 and 0.36), respectively. There was no correlation between hyperhomocysteinemia and low vitamin B12 and folate levels. Conclusion Hyperhomocysteinemia may be a risk factor for DVT in the Nigerian population but may not be responsible for thrombosis in all cases. There was however no significant correlation between serum level of homocysteine and serum levels of vitamin B12 and folate in DVT patients. Therefore, larger sized sample studies should be carried out to investigate the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and related vitamins as well as genetic causes of hyperhomocysteinemia in DVT patients in our environment.