Serum homocysteine level and vascular involvement in behcet's disease

ABSTRACT

To assess whether serum homocysteine level is related to vascular involvement in Behcet's disease. Twenty five patients with Behcet's disease and ten healthy subjects were included in the study. All the participants were subjected to thorough clinical assessment, radiological evaluation and laboratory investigations including serum folate, vitamin B12 and lipid profile. Total serum homocysteine level was determined by fluorescent polarization immunoassay. The patients were classified into two groups with respect to vascular involvement. Serum homocysteine level in BD patients was significantly higher than in the healthy controls [15.6 +/- 4.2 Vs 10.15 +/- 3.3 mmol /L, p <0.001]. Among BD patients with vascular involvement, total homocysteine level was significantly higher than in those without vascular involvement and healthy controls [p <0.05 and < 0.001 respectively]. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between patients without vascular involvement and healthy controls [p > 0.05]. No statistically significant difference was found between the different studied groups as regards serum folate, vitamin B12 and lipid profile [p > 0.05]. In addition, no significant correlation between total homocysteine and the other parameters investigated in BD patients. Hyperhomocysteinaemia may be a risk factor for the development of vascular involvement in Behcet's disease