Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency: A cross-sectional study in a rural, elderly population of Shanxi China

Objectives To report the association of lifestyle factors and plasma vitamin B-12 with hyperhomocysteinemia in a large sample of men and women living in a region of China where there is an increased risk of NTDs. Design Community-based, cross-sectional study of Lvliang City, Shanxi Province, China. Setting Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a sensitive marker of vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency. Participants A total of 2355 (1044 men and 1311 women) participants born before 1 January 1958 (≥55 years of age) and living in Lvliang City for at least 2 months a year were included. Measurements The participants were assessed regarding demographic characteristics, height, weight, as well as having a physical examination and blood sampling for serum cholesterol, total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, and vitamin B12 levels. Results The median (25th–75th percentile) tHcy concentration was 21.5 (15.8–33.6) µ mol/L in men and 18.0 (13.4–24.8) µ mol/L in women. The overall prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (tHcy ≥15 µ mol/L) was 72.6% (84.3% in men and 63.2% in women), inversely correlated with folate (r=–0.230, P=0.006) and vitamin B-12 (r=–0.540, P