Abstract

Background and Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive, life threatening disease affecting more than 1/10th of the worldwide population. Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy), which is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), occurs in 85% of patients with CKD due to impaired renal metabolism and reduced excretion. The major cause of mortality in patients with chronic renal disease is cardiovascular causes, which may be reduced by lowering the homocysteine levels by folic acid supplementation. Methods: 60 CKD patients who attended the OPD and wards of Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Healthcare & Medical Technology (GVPIHC&MT) Hospital, Visakhapatnam, were identified and written informed consent was taken. Plasma homocysteine levels, ECG, blood sugars, renal function tests (RFT), GFR calculation, liver function tests (LFT) and complete hemogram were performed as part of the study. Patients with acute kidney injury, chronic smoking or alcohol consumption, preexisting cardiovascular disease, hepatic disease, diabetics and recently dialysed were excluded from the study. The accepted threshold for normal plasma homocysteine was 15 umol/litre or less.

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