Lowering Homocysteine Levels in Patients with Severe Renal Disease

No evidence of benefit was found with folic acid, vitamin B₆, and vitamin B₁₂ supplementation.

Epidemiologic studies have shown correlations between high homocysteine levels and cardiovascular (CV) disease, but in randomized trials, supplementation with folic acid and B vitamins has shown no reduction in cardiovascular events (Journal Watch Dec 28 2006). However, large trials have not been conducted in patients with chronic renal disease, many of whom have substantially elevated homocysteine levels.

In a multisite Veterans Affairs trial, 2056 adults with advanced chronic renal disease (creatinine clearance ≤30 mL/min) or end-stage renal disease were randomized to daily supplementation with a capsule containing folic acid (40 mg), vitamin B₆ (100 mg), and vitamin B₁₂ (2 mg), or to placebo. All patients had plasma homocysteine levels of…

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

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Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

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