Chronic Kidney Disease and Plasma Homocysteine Level

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a very common condition result of different etiologies.There are reports in literature indicating that chronic kidney disease leads hyperhomocysteinemia which contributes to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortalities. Reduction of homocysteine level may help to decrease the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality which are leading cause of death in chronic kidney disease patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 patients with CKD admitted to Thanjavur medical college were selected for study and their fasting plasma homocysteine level were measured. Patients who are having acute kidney injury, who are current smokers, alcohol consumers, who are having liver diseases, who are diabetic are excluded from study. Normal plasma homocysteine level was considered to be below 15 umol/litre. OBSERVATIONS & RESULTS: Of the 50 patients 37 were males 13 were females. 34 patients were in age range of 41-60. 36 patients were in stage 5 CKD, 11 were in stage 4 CKD, 3 were in stage 3 CKD. Hyperhomocysteinemia was observed in 78 % of CKD patients. 94.87% had mild hyperhomocysteinemia. End stage renal disease patients had increased prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia. There was not much difference in hyperhomocysteinemia in patients who are on dialysis and who are not on dialysis. CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is highly prevalent in CKD patients