Elevated homocysteine levels contribute to larger hematoma volume in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

Abstract

Background: We investigate whether plasma homocysteine (HCY) levels are associated with hematoma volume and outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: A total of 69 patients admitted within 24 hours after ICH onset was divided into 2 groups based on admission plasma HCY levels (low homocysteinemia [LHCY] group, plasma HCY concentrations ≤14.62 μmol/L, versus high homocysteinemia [HHCY] group, >14.62 μmol/L).

Results: Mean hematoma volumes for 2 groups (LHCY and HHCY) were 13.18 and 23.09 mL (P = .012), respectively, in patients with thalamoganglionic ICH, but hematoma volumes between 2 groups had no significant difference among patients with lobar or infratentorial ICH. On multivariate linear regression analysis, elevated HCY levels significantly correlated with larger hematoma volume in patients with thalamoganglionic ICH (B = .604, P = .004) after adjustment for confounding factors. Poor outcomes (6-month modified Rankin Scale scores ≥3) were not significantly different between 2 groups (low homocysteinemia group, 31.4%, versus high homocysteinemia group, 41.2%, P = .400).

Conclusions: Elevated plasma HCY levels were associated with larger hematoma volume only in patients with thalamoganglionic ICH. HCY levels might not be predictors of the 6-month clinical outcome in patients with ICH.

Keywords: Stroke; hematoma; homocysteine; intracerebral hemorrhage; stroke outcome.