Frequency of raised plasma homocysteine levels in patients of ischemic stroke

ABSTRACT

This descriptive study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore. A total number of 37 continuous patients with ischemic stroke were registered in one month. Imaging of the brain was done in each case. Both male and female patient of all age groups were included. Among these, 27 were males and 10 were females with the age range from 20 to 90 years. Nineteen patients [51.35%] had raised plasma homocysteine levels more than 15umol/l. Among patients with raised homcysteine levels, 14 [73.6%] were males and 5 [26.3%] were females. Eighteen [48.64%] patient fell in to group between 41-60 years of age. Eleven patients were younger than 40 and 8 were more than 60 years of age at the time of presentation. Out of 19 patients with raised plasma homocysteine levels 5 [26.3%] were also smokers and others were either non smokers or had stopped smoking more than 5 years back from the time of presentation. Four out of 19 [21.04%] patients had no other known cause of their stroke except raised plasma homocysteine. Theses patients were all males and were 23, 42, 60 and 68 years old. From our study we conclude that in our population, plasma homocysteine levels are raised commonly in patients of ischemic strokes, and it has already been established, as risk factor for all vascular events. We recommend routine measurements of Homocysteine levels in all Ischemic stroke patients and administration of Folic acid and Vitamin B12 as secondary preventive therapy