RESUMEN
AIM: To assess incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) in patients with chronic myeloproliferative diseases (CMPD) and to analyse possible correlation between an elevated concentration of plasma homocystein (HC) and thrombotic complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial enrolled 61 patients: 39 CMPD patients with thrombotic complications and free of them, 22 nonhematological patients with thrombosis. The control group consisted of 40 healthy donors. The examination protocol included determination with standard methods of HC plasma concentration, platelet and plasma components of hemostasis, mutation of factor V Leiden gene, prothrombin and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). RESULTS: Mean HC concentration in the serum in CMPD patients was 19 +/- 1.7 mcmol/l which appeared higher than in healthy donors (12 +/- 1.3 mcmol/l). The highest HC was in patients with subleukemic myelosis (SLM)--23 +/- 2.3 mcmol). No difference in HC concentration in plasma was observed in CMPD carriers of homo- or heteroxygous mutation of C667T gene or CMPD patients without the mutation. In CMPD content of factor VIII was higher in HHC than in normal HC (222 +/- 26.5 and 116 +/- 20%, respectively, p = 0.002). For von Willebrand factor 202 +/- 15.6 and 120 +/- 14.6%, respectively (p < 0.003). HC reduction in response to vitamin therapy was the greater the higher its initial level was. CONCLUSION: There is correlation between HHC and thrombosis in CMPD patients. HC concentration may depend on the proliferative stage of CMPD. As HC is a significant independent factor of thrombotic complications risk, it is necessary to detect and treat HHC.