Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for strokes in ghanaian adults.

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. METHOD 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 [χ(2); p<0.0001]. OR of stroke calculated for quartiles of Hcy, demonstrated an increase in OR of 1.37 (25(th) percentile) to an OR of 3.80 (75(th) percentile). CONCLUSIONS Hcy was elevated in patients with stroke and should be considered as a modifiable risk factor for stroke in Ghanaian adults.