evaluation of total plasma homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin b12 in 25-64 aged inhabitants of tehran university of medical sciences population lab region

introduction: elevated plasma total homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a sensitive marker of vitamin b12 and folate insufficiency. folate and vitamin b12 have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease. this effect may be partly explained by mechanisms independent of homocysteine. this survey is the first population based study to evaluate the plasma total homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin b12 in 1214 healthy iranian persons. methods: this study which was a part of the cardiovascular risk factors survey in the population lab region, has been designed and conducted based on monica/who project. a total of 1214 people have been recruited and assessed on serum homocysteine, folic acid and vitamin b12 with interview, questionnaires, examination and blood sampling. blood samples were gathered in venoject tubes and analyzed according to standard methods. results: the variables were assessed in 1214 participants include 428 men (35.3%) and 786 women (64.7%). prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 96.4% in men and 83.3% in women (p<0.0001). geometric mean of serum homocysteine was 19.02 ± 1.46 µmol/l in men and 14.05± 1.45 µmol/l in women (p<0.004) and increased with age. folic acid deficiency was seen in 527 (98.9% )men and 833 women (98.0%). 161 (30.1%)men and 232(27.2%) women had vitamin b12 deficiency. conclusion: these results revealed that the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, folic acid and vitamin b12 deficiency was higher than other communities considerably. preventive interventions as food fortification with folic acid is necessary.