A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS VERSUS NORMAL CONTROLS.

Objective: To compare the mean homocysteine level of ESRD patients undergoing regular hemodialysis with normal age and gender matched controls. Methodology: This observational study was conducted at Dialysis Unit of Fauji Foundation Hospital, from January 2011 to October 2012. Cases included patients from 12-65 years age of either gender who were on regular hemodialysis for more than three months at a frequency of three times a week. Controls were chosen from the healthy relatives and hospital employees who had normal renal functions and were matched for age and gender. Total homocysteine in plasma was measured by HPLC and fluorescence detection. Results: We included 55 hemodialysis patients and 55 controls. The mean age of cases and controls was 45.67±10.68 and 45.94±10.50 years respectively. There were a total of 24 (21.8%) males. The two groups were similar in respect to age and gender distribution. The mean homocysteine level of cases and controls was 17.69±5.17 and 12.85±3.27 µmol/L respectively (p =0.00). Conclusion: Plasma homocysteine levels are significantly higher among homodialysis subjects as compared to normal controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]