Homocysteine, a marker of cardiovascular disease risk, is markedly elevated in patients with gout
- Correspondence to Dr Ole Slot, Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospital Glostrup, Ndr. Ringvej, Glostrup DK-2600, Denmark; ole.slot.01{at}regionh.dk
- Received 15 May 2012
- Revised 5 July 2012
- Accepted 19 July 2012
- Published Online First 11 August 2012
Homocysteine (Hcy) is an amino acid formed by demethylation of methionine. Impaired renal function, enzymatic polymorphisms, and low levels of B-group vitamins dispose to hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy).1 ,2 HHcy as well as hyperurecaemia induce reactive oxygen species and impair endothelial function1 ,3 and are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).1–4 Hcy and urate possibly have additive effects on the endothelial function.5
Studies in normal populations have shown positive correlations between p-Hcy and p-urate,6 ,7 but reports on the prevalence of HHcy in gout patients have shown conflicting results.8–10
To study the prevalence of HHcy in gout—133 …
