Hyperhomocysteinemia accompany with metabolic syndrome increase the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy in rural Chinese.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the influence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in residents in rural Northeast China.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional baseline data analysis of 6837 subjects (mean age: 54 ± 10 years) recruited from a rural area of China. Anthropometric indicators were measured according to standard methods. MetS was defined by the modified ATP III criteria. HHcy was defined according to the WHO standard: an Hcy level > 15 μmol/L representing HHcy. Four groups were defined: non-HHcy & non-MetS, HHcy & non-MetS, MetS & non-HHcy and HHcy & MetS.

RESULTS

The left ventricular mass index for height (LVMH) in both sexes was significantly higher in the HHcy & MetS group than in the non-HHcy & non-MetS group (females: 51.23 ± 16.34 vs. 40.09 ± 10.55 g, P < 0.001; males: 48.67 ± 12.24 g vs. 42.42 ± 11.38 g, P < 0.001). A similar result was observed in those groups when using the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) for body surface area to define LVH (females: 103.58 ± 31.92 g vs. 86.63 ± 20.47 g, P < 0.001; males: 106.10 ± 24.69 g vs. 98.16 ± 23.29 g, P < 0.001). The results of multiple regression analysis indicated that the HHcy & MetS group had a higher risk of LVH than the other three groups (OR: 1.628 for LVMI, P < 0.001, OR: 2.433 for LVMH, P < 0.001). Moreover, subjects in the HHcy & non-MetS group [OR (95% CI): 1.297 (1.058, 1.591) for LVMI, P < 0.05; OR (95% CI): 1.248 (1.044, 1.492) for LVMH, P < 0.05] also had a statistically greater risk of LVH than subjects in the non-HHcy & non-MetS group. The HHcy & non-MetS group was also found to be significantly and independently associated with LVH.

CONCLUSION

Hyperhomocysteinemia has an independent effect on LVH. The combined effect of MetS and hyperhomocysteinemia might increase the strength of the abovementioned effects.