Homocysteine Levels in Smokers Show CVD Risk

A study conducted by Irish researchers has revealed that smokers with high plasma homocysteine levels have a greatly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study was published in the October 15, 2002, issue of the European Heart Journal.

In the study, data were collected from 750 cases and 800 age- and sex-matched controls, involving 19 centers in 10 European countries. The data showed a 12-fold CVD risk in current smokers (fewer than 20 cigarettes a day) with modestly increased plasma homocysteine levels, compared to subjects who had never smoked and who had homocysteine levels of less then 12 mmol/l. The risk increased to 13-fold in smokers with a per-day habit of more than 20 cigarettes. The risk in smokers of fewer than 20 cigarettes per day with homocysteine levels below 12mmol/l was 3 times higher than in nonsmokers.

"The study suggests that smokers with high plasma homocysteine levels are at greatly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and should therefore be offered intensive advice to help them cease smoking,” the authors conclude. The study confirms the results of a large Norwegian study, which identified a positive association between elevated plasma homocysteine levels and a number of cardiovascular risk factors, particularly smoking.

"This study provides further support for the multiplicative CVD risk seen in smokers with elevated homocysteine,” noted Svein Lien, CEO of Axis-Shield (London, UK). "Over recent years, we have seen a marked increase in the use of our homocysteine tests and we envisage that data from studies such as these will help to expand the market for homocysteine testing even further.”

In a related development, Axis-Shield recently concluded an agreement to develop and manufacture homocysteine tests for the coagulation/hemostasis platforms of Instrumentarium Laboratory (IL, Lexington, MA, USA).




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