The American journal of gastroenterology
-
Am. J. Gastroenterol. · Sep 2001
Hyperhomocysteinemia and prevalence of polymorphisms of homocysteine metabolism-related enzymes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of thrombotic complications. Moreover, a hypercoagulable state has been hypothesized as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of IBD. Recently, a growing amount of interest has focused on mild-to-moderate hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor for thromboembolic disease. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with IBD and to investigate the contribution of genetic defects in the enzymes involved in homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism and vitamin status in determining increased levels of plasma total Hcy (tHcy). ⋯ IBD patients have a higher prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia than do healthy controls. Folate deficiency is the only independent risk factor in developing hyperhomocysteinemia.