Abstract:
Background: Stroke is an increasing problem in Ghana
and the West African sub-region. New and modifiable
risk factors for stroke have gained prominence in
the last decade but have not been adequately researched
in West Africa.
Methods: This was a case-control study with plasma
Homocysteine (Hcy) as an independent risk factor for
stroke. 80 consecutive stroke patients with 80 age-sex
matched controls were venesected in the fasting state
for assay of Hcy and other biochemical parameters.
Results: Mean Hcy level in stroke cases of 40.7 +
9.5μmol/l was significantly higher than 16.8 +
10.6μmol/l in controls [p<0.0001]. There was a significant
association of hyperHcy with stroke [χ2;
p<0.0001]. OR of stroke calculated for quartiles of
Hcy, demonstrated an increase in OR of 1.37 (25th percentile)
to an OR of 3.80 (75th percentile).
Conclusions: Hcy was elevated in patients with stroke
and should be considered as a modifiable risk factor for
stroke in Ghanaian adults.