Homocysteine levels and cardiovascular disease risk factors in chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertensive and healthy Nigerian adults: a comparative retrospective study.

Abstract

To investigate homocysteine (Hcy) levels in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension and a healthy Nigerian population, and to assess their association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The study was conducted using data from the Ibadan CRECKID (Cardiovascular and Renal Event in People with Chronic Kidney Disease) study in Nigeria. A total of 420 adults (aged 18+) categorised into three groups: individuals with stage 2 CKD or higher, hypertensive non-CKD individuals and normotensive individuals. The primary outcome was the difference in serum Hcy levels across the groups; secondary outcomes included the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) and correlation with fibroblast growth factor (FGF). No significant difference in mean serum Hcy levels among the CKD, hypertensive and healthy groups (p=0.39) was observed. However, HHcy (≥15 µmol/L) prevalence was significantly higher in the hypertensive group (p<0.05). A strong positive correlation between Hcy levels and FGF was identified across all groups (p<0.001). The present study indicates that Hcy levels may not serve as a reliable predictor of CVD outcomes across populations with varying kidney function and CVD risk profiles.