Association between homocysteine levels and arterial stiffness in women with systemic sclerosis

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate homocysteine (Hcy) serum levels in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared with healthy controls and to examine possible associations between Hcy and markers of arterial stiffness. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed at a single hospital between November 2017 and May 2019: 62 women with SSc and 62 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured non-invasively along the carotidfemoral arterial segment. Serum Hcy was analysed using immunonephelometric method. Results. There was a significant difference in Hcy serum levels between SSc female patients and healthy controls (11.9 +/- 3.3 vs. 10.3 +/- 2.3 mu mol/ml, p=0.002). Serum levels of Hcy were positively correlated with PWV (r=0.28, p