[Hyperhomocysteinemia, risk factor in deep venous thrombosis: a case-control study]

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia, an established cardiovascular risk factor, has been recently associated with deep venous thrombosis.

Material and method: A matched case-control study was designed to assess homocysteinemia as well as the acquired risk factors in deep venous thrombosis (DVT). We enrolled 227 subjects, 127 with DVT confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography and 100 controls. Homocysteinemia was measured using reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography.

Results: We found a significant association between hyperhomocysteinemia and DVT; the associated risk was weak (p = 0.025, OR: 1.7). Other risk factors significantly associated with DVT were: obesity (p = 0.04, OR for DVT: 2.9), varicose veins (p = 0.023, OR: 3.13), prolonged immobility (p = 0.015, OR: 3.1), history of DVT (p = 0.01, OR: 5.59). All these factors were found to be independent risk factors using multivariate logistic regression.

Conclusion: hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for DVT; the risk is not associated with the severity of hyperhomocysteinemia.