Ak Akpalu1, Pk Nyame. 1. Department of Medicine (Neurology unit), Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stroke is an increasing problem in Ghana and the West African sub-region. New and modifiable risk factors for stroke have gained prominence in the last decade but have not been adequately researched in West Africa. METHOD: This was a case-control study with plasma Homocysteine (Hcy) as an independent risk factor for stroke. 80 consecutive stroke patients with 80 age-sex matched controls were venesected in the fasting state for assay of Hcy and other biochemical parameters. RESULTS: Mean Hcy level in stroke cases of 40.7 ± 9.5µmol/l was significantly higher than 16.8 ± 10.6µmol/l in controls [p<0.0001]. There was a significant association of hyperHcy with stroke [χ(2); p<0.0001]. OR of stroke calculated for quartiles of Hcy, demonstrated an increase in OR of 1.37 (25(th) percentile) to an OR of 3.80 (75(th) percentile). CONCLUSIONS: Hcy was elevated in patients with stroke and should be considered as a modifiable risk factor for stroke in Ghanaian adults.
BACKGROUND:Stroke is an increasing problem in Ghana and the West African sub-region. New and modifiable risk factors for stroke have gained prominence in the last decade but have not been adequately researched in West Africa. METHOD: This was a case-control study with plasma Homocysteine (Hcy) as an independent risk factor for stroke. 80 consecutive strokepatients with 80 age-sex matched controls were venesected in the fasting state for assay of Hcy and other biochemical parameters. RESULTS: Mean Hcy level in stroke cases of 40.7 ± 9.5µmol/l was significantly higher than 16.8 ± 10.6µmol/l in controls [p<0.0001]. There was a significant association of hyperHcy with stroke [χ(2); p<0.0001]. OR of stroke calculated for quartiles of Hcy, demonstrated an increase in OR of 1.37 (25(th) percentile) to an OR of 3.80 (75(th) percentile). CONCLUSIONS:Hcy was elevated in patients with stroke and should be considered as a modifiable risk factor for stroke in Ghanaian adults.
Authors: U B Fallon; P Elwood; Y Ben-Shlomo; J B Ubbink; R Greenwood; G D Smith Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2001-02 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: W H Giles; S J Kittner; J B Croft; M A Wozniak; R J Wityk; B J Stern; M A Sloan; T R Price; R J McCarter; R F Macko; C J Johnson; B R Feeser; C J Earley; D W Buchholz; P D Stolley Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 1999-07 Impact factor: 3.797