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Plasma Homocysteine and Carotid Artery Intima‐Media Thickness: Site‐Specific Associations in the Framingham Offspring Cohort
Author(s) -
Dietrich Marion,
Jacques Paul,
Polak Joseph,
Pencina Michael,
Evans Jane,
Selhub Jacob,
Ramachandran Vasan,
D'Agostino Ralph
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a1032-d
Subject(s) - medicine , intima media thickness , homocysteine , cardiology , common carotid artery , framingham risk score , offspring , risk factor , framingham heart study , tunica media , cohort , blood pressure , hyperhomocysteinemia , disease , carotid arteries , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Background Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHCY) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, is typically measured at the internal carotid artery including the bulb (ICA), and the common carotid artery (CCA). No prior investigation has compared the relations of tHCY to ICA‐IMT vs. CCA‐IMT. Objective To identify site‐specific (ICA‐IMT vs. CCA‐‐IMT) associations of plasma tHCY in a community‐based sample. Methods We examined the cross‐sectional relations of tHCY to ICA‐IMT and CCA‐IMT in 2254 participants (1,391 women) from the Framingham Offspring Study free of overt cardiovascular disease. CCA‐ and ICA‐IMT were measured at the 6 th examination cycle (1996–1998). Plasma tHCY was measured at the 5th examination cycle (1992–1995; before mandatory folate fortification). Analyses were stratified by age (< vs.≥ 54 years). Results In linear regression models adjusting for age, BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), BP‐lowering medications, smoking, ratio of total cholesterol to HDL, diabetes, creatinine, and hormone replacement therapy, tHCY was positively associated with ICA‐IMT in both sexes ≥ 54 yrs (P<0.05). tHCY was not associated with CCA‐IMT in either gender in any age group. Conclusions We observed site‐ and age‐specific associations of tHCY with carotid atherosclerosis.