Does lowering hyperhomocysteinemia by folic acid beneficial for oculo-Behcet's disease? A pilot study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effect of folic acid supplementation in Behçet's disease (BD) patients with ocular involvement associated with hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcys).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

19 BD patients, all with uveitis and/or retinal vasculitis associated with Hhcys (plasma hcy > 15 micromol/l) were prospectively included. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 11 patients that received folic acide (15 mg/d) in addition to their previous standard treatment. Group 2 included 8 patients treated only with their previous standard treatment. Visual acuity and uveitis attacks were assessed initially and monthly at each visit in all groups. Mean Visual acuity and frequency of uveitis attacks were evaluated quarterly.

RESULTS:

In group 1, the mean plasma hcys level was significantly lower after than before the treatment period (27.7 vs 13.1 micromol/l; p= 0.04) while it did not vary significantly in the same period in Group 2 patients. Frequency of uveitis attacks was significantly lower after than before treatment at each quarter in groupl and mean visual acuity in this group increased from 4.33 to 5.44 decimals. During the treatment period, the mean number of uveitis attacks, converted to frequency per 12 months were significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. During this period, the VA slightly increased in group 1 and decreased in group 2 but the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSION:

Our results indicate that folates supplementation is useful for BD patients with Hhcys.

• Authors: Mohamed H Houman, Hajer Naffati, Monia Khanfir, Mahdi Ghannouchi, Imed Ben Ghorbel, Mounir Lamloum, Leila El Matri, Kamel Hamzaoui, Amel Jeddi, Mohamed Miled, Moncef Fki
• Journal: La Tunisie medicale (Tunis Med) Vol. 85 Issue 6 Pg. 450-3 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 0041-4131 [Print] Tunisia
• PMID: 17644895 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Homocysteine
• Vitamin B Complex
• Cyclophosphamide
• Folic Acid

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Adult
• Aged
• Behcet Syndrome (drug therapy)
• Cyclophosphamide (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Folic Acid (therapeutic use)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Homocysteine (blood)
• Humans
• Hyperhomocysteinemia (blood, drug therapy)
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Prospective Studies
• Retinal Vasculitis (drug therapy)
• Uveitis (drug therapy)
• Visual Acuity (physiology)
• Vitamin B Complex (therapeutic use)