Implications of homocysteine levels and carotid intima-media thickness in Indıan stroke patients

Abstract

Background The study aimed to evaluate the role of homocysteine (HCY) in modulating various stroke parameters. The primary objective was to study the correlation of HCY levels with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in stroke patients and investigate if HCY levels had any predictive value for the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Material and Methods Seventy-eight patients of magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans-confirmed acute ischaemic stroke were recruited for this study, and the NIHSS score was evaluated upon admission. Fasting blood samples were tested for serum HCY, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid profile. Ultrasonography of the neck ascertained IMT of common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA). Results The mean age of male and female subjects was 57.88±13.97 and 59.16±13.62 years, respectively. 71.93% of stroke patients were hyperhomocysteinemic (HHcyc), and 24.36% were hyperlipidemic. Patients with NIHSS ≥5 had higher LDL cholesterol than those with NIHSS