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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Plasma homocysteine levels are associated with ulceration of the foot in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Background To examine the association of biochemical markers of risk (plasma Hcy, microalbuminuria, lipoprotein (a)(Lp(a)) and diabetic dyslipidaemia) with the prevalence of diabetic foot ulceration in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods Case/control study conducted in 198 type 2 diabetic patients. 89 patients have foot ulcers and 109 have no foot ulcers (control group), in order to establish ORs for diabetic foot ulceration. In all subjects plasma Hcy, Lp(a), total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, HbA1c and microalbuminuria were measured using standard procedures. Results Plasma Hcy, microalbuminuria, HbA1c and apolipoprotein B levels were significantly higher in patients with foot ulceration compared with the control group. Plasma lipids, Lp(a), vitamin B12 and folic acid values were similar in both groups. In the logistic regression model, plasma Hcy (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.04–1.69), microalbuminuria (OR 1,01; 95% CI 1.01–1.17) and HbA1c levels (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.04–1.69) were independent risk factors for the presence of diabetic foot ulceration. Conclusions In our study, for each µmol increase in plasma Hcy levels there was a 10% increase in the risk of diabetic foot ulceration. In addition, plasma homocyteine, HbA1c and microalbuminuria accounted for 50% prevalence risk of diabetic foot ulceration. Further prospective studies should be conducted to confirm the association of plasma Hcy levels with the risk of foot ulceration. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.