Reference interval and determinants of the serum homocysteine level in a Korean population

Authors:
  • DWDong Hee Whang
    Dong Hee Whang
  • YKYoung Jin Ko
    Young Jin Ko
  • SJShin Young Joo
    Shin Young Joo
  • MHMina Hur
    Mina Hur
  • JKJin Q Kim
    Jin Q Kim
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Abstract
In this study, we estimated the reference intervals of the serum homocysteine (Hcy) level using two automated immunoassays, and we demonstrated the effects of various factors on the Hcy level in a Korean population. We calculated the gender- and assay-specific reference intervals using the data from 809 healthy Koreans, and we assessed the effects of physiologic and lifestyle factors on the Hcy level. The upper limit was higher in males (19.21 and 19.76 μmol/l) than that in females (14.99 μmol/l and 15.16 μmol/l, AxSym and ADVIA centaur, respectively); the upper limits were comparable between the two assays. Smokers, vitamin nonusers, and persons without regular exercise showed a lower folate level and a higher Hcy level. The risk of hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly associated with the male gender (adjusted OR: 5.705, P-value: 0.008) and with the low folate level group (adjusted OR: 10.412, P-value: 0.002) on the multivariate analysis. The Hcy level was significantly different according to various factors, especially in the gender and folate level. The reference interval should be determined for each ethnic population and for each assay. The appropriate cutoff for assessing the risk for cardiovascular disease or stroke should also be validated in each population.

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