Evaluation of Serum Homocysteine and Leptin Levels in Patients with Uveitis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the serum homocysteine (Hcy) and leptin levels in patients with uveitis. MA­TE­RI­ALS AND MET­HODS: The 70 cases included in the study comprised 3 groups: patients with Behçet's uveitis (BU), patients with non-Behçet's uveitis (NBU) and healthy controls. Body mass index was calculated for each subject. Serum Hcy and leptin levels were measured. Furthermore, acute-phase reactants including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein and neutrophil count were measured. RE­SULTS: Serum Hcy levels were 15.04±4.59 µmol/L in the BU group, 15.4±6.87 µmol/L in the NBU group and 13.64±4.72 µmol/L in the control group (p>0.05). The serum leptin levels of male patients in the BU group, NBU group and control group were 4.76±3.54 ng/ml, 6.33±3.74 ng/ml and 5.47±6.33 ng/ml, respectively (p>0.05). When we compared serum leptin levels in female patients and controls, the mean serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher in female BU and NBU patients (24.83±17.62 ng/ml and 28.46±13.90 ng/ml, respectively) than in healthy control volunteers (9.62±6.36 ng/ml, p<0.05). In addition, the ESR value differences between groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A larger case series is necessary to investigate serum Hcy and leptin concentrations in uveitis patients.