Homocystein level in patients with premature coronary artery disease

Conventional risk factors like serum cholesterol, smoking, and hypertension do not explain all the mortality and morbidity due to coronary artery disease. Novel risk factors like plasma homocystein have been currently recognized as independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. A case-control study was carried out to examine the role of plasma homocystein in angiographically established coronary artery disease patients. Plasma homocystein level was measured by HPLC method. Mean plasma homocystein after matching for other major risk factors was significantly different in two groups. (p = 0.003) But sex as a minor risk factor was effective in homocystein level and after matching of groups according to sex, the homocystein level was not significantly different in case and control groups. However, homocystein level in sex matched study groups was higher than control groups but due to wide variation in homocystein levels in study groups it was not statistically significant. current study showed high homocystein level is a risk factor for coronary artery disease in less than 50 year-old patients and according to current knowledge, high level of homocystein in this study is clinically important regardless of lack of statistical significance. According to current study, it is recommended that in coronary artery disease patients younger than 50 and without any other major risk factor, homocystein level should be measured.