Lipid profile and serum folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in patients with retinal vein occlusion

Abstract

Background: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is mainly related with vascular risk factors (VRF).

Objectives: To analyze the lipid profile and serum folate, vitamin B₁₂ and homocysteine levels, in patients with RVO and a population-based control group.

Patients and methods: Case-control study. Patients with RVO were assessed during an 11-year period.

Results: We included 368 patients and 325 controls of similar age and sex. HDL cholesterol and folate levels were lower (52 [43-63] mg/dL vs. 55 [46-66]; p = 0.016 and 7 [5-10] ng/mL vs. 9 [7-13]; p < 0.0001, respectively) and non-HDL cholesterol and homocysteine levels higher (148.9 ± 37.3 mg/dL vs. 142.9 ± 34.5; p = 0.03 and 13.4 [11.2-18.2] μmol/L vs. 11.1 [9.0-14.4]; p < 0.001) in patients with RVO than controls. Although total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride levels were higher and serum vitamin B₁₂ levels were lower in RVO patients, these differences did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions: RVO-patients have lower serum HDL-C and folate levels and higher non-HDL-C and serum homocysteine levels than population-based controls of similar age and sex. In patients with RVO, apart from the lipid profile, determination of serum homocysteine, folate and vitamin B₁₂ levels might be useful, as well as the treatment of their alterations.

Keywords: Folate; Homocisteína; Homocysteine; Lipid profile; Obstrucción venosa retiniana; Perfil lipídico; Retinal vein occlusion; Vitamin B(12); Vitamina B(12); Ácido fólico.