HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN YOUNGER PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN PAKISTAN

Background: Coronary artery disease ( CAD) is the leading cause of death in the world both in developed and developing countries. Pakistanis are more prone to CAD at younger ages. There are many patients with CAD who lack conventional risk factors. Hyperhomocysteinemia is considered an important modifiable risk factor for CAD. The aim of this study was to establish an association of hyperhomocysteinemia with CAD in younger Pakistani patients with CAD. Material & Methods: It was a cross sectional comparative study conducted at Punjab Institute of Cardiology Lahore from October 2009 to June 2010. This study included 30 patients of age 20-45 years, with confirmed CAD. They were compared with 30 age matched normal healthy controls. Fasting total homocysteine levels were measured in all the study subjects by Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay technology. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 16. Results: Statistically significant difference (p-value = 0.013) was observed in the mean concentration of total homocysteine between the CAD patients (18.1 +/- 5.3 mu mol/L) and normal controls (14.7 +/- 4.93 mu mol/L). In the patient group, 21 had homocysteine levels greater than normal value (15 mu mol/L) while in the control group, 12 had homocysteine levels greater than normal value. Odds ratio was calculated to be 3.5. Conclusion: The present study indicates strong association between increased levels of total Homocysteine and CAD in younger Pakistani patients.