Homocysteine Levels in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of elevated homocysteine levels in acute ischemic stroke patients presenting to the medical department, civil hospital, Nawabshah.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Medicine Civil Hospital, Nawabshah from 13/02/2021 to 12/08/2021. It included ischemic stroke patients and evaluated their homocysteine levels (≥15µmol/L were elevated). Homocysteine levels was compared then in relation with the other sub-groups of patients based on the age group, gender and obesity, smoking, hypertensive and diabetic status, and hyperlipidemia.

Results: There were 171 (64.5%) males and 94 (35.5%) females with mean age 49.9 ± 5.8 years Elevated levels of homocysteine were recorded in 140 (52.8%) patients with acute ischemic stroke. The frequency of elevated levels of homocysteine across various subgroups of patients in relation to age, gender, obesity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia was found to be insignificant.

Conclusion: The findings of this study show patients with acute ischemic stroke had elevated levels of homocysteine which suggests potential implications of homocysteine level assessment in the diagnostic workup as well as risk stratification and management planning of patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting in future medical practice.