Homocysteine and vascular events in lupus patients with and without raynaud's phenomenon

ABSTRACT

Aim: Homocysteine [Hcy] is now considered as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases lupus patients with Raynaud's and without Raynaud's phenomenon [RP] are candidates for multiple vascular events due to several contributing factors. Hyperhomoysteinemia is among these factors. Subjects and The aim of this study is to examine the level of fasting homocysteine and anti-cardiolipin antibodies in a selected group of lupus patients with and without Raynaud's phenomenon, and find their relation to some vascular events. No significant difference in the serum levels of ESR, CRP, serum creatinine, anti-ds-DNA, C3, parameters of lipid profile, and the two isotypes of anticardiolipins [aCL] [IgG and IgM], when lupus patients with RP are compared with those with no RP. Homocysteine is significantly elevated in all lupus patients when compared to the control group, yet, there is no difference when lupus patients with RP are compared to those without RP. Conclusions: Our data do not support a cause and effect relationship between homocysteine and Raynaud's phenomon in lupus patients. Also, we are in favour of an essential role for lupus disease itself in the development of hyperhomocysteinemia. Whether nutritional supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 is advisable to ameliorate the vasomotor dysregulation in lupus patients with RP is still a matter of debate