Hyperhomocysteinaemia is associated with uveitis but not with deep venous thrombosis in Behçet's disease

Plasma Homocysteine in Behcet's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

AIM

 To evaluate the relevance of plasma homocysteine (HC) in Behcet's disease (BD) and its clinical manifestations.

METHODS

 Systematic review of EMBASE and PubMed databases according to PRISMA guidelines from inception to July 2021; random-effects meta-analyses for continuous outcomes.

RESULTS

 The search strategy retrieved 48 case-control (2,669 BD and 2,245 control participants) and 5 cohort studies (708 BD participants). Plasma HC was higher in BD than in controls (p < 0.0001) with wide heterogeneity (I2  = 89.7%) that remained unchanged after sensitivity analysis according to year of article publication, age of BD participants, study size, study quality, method of HC determination, and male/female ratio >1.5; some pooled ethnicities explained a small part of the heterogeneity (I2  = 16.3%). Active BD participants had higher HC than inactive ones (p < 0.0001), with moderate heterogeneity (I2  = 49.2%) that disappeared after removal of an outlier study with very high disease activity. BD participants with any vascular involvement had higher HC than those without (p < 0.0001) with wide heterogeneity (I2  = 89.7%); subgroup analysis on venous thrombosis only changed neither effect size (p < 0.0001) nor heterogeneity (I2  = 72.7%). BD participants with ocular involvement had higher HC than those without (p < 0.0001) with moderate heterogeneity (I2  = 40.3%).

CONCLUSION

 Although causality cannot be inferred, the consistency of the elevation of plasma HC in BD, particularly in patients with active disease, with vascular and ocular involvement suggests an intrinsic involvement of HC in these clinical manifestations.

Evaluation of atherogenic laboratory markers in Behçet's disease patients with vascular involvement

INTRODUCTION

Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis presenting with immunological and endothelial changes. The aim of the present study is to evaluate blood levels of diagnostic markers which can be used in Behçet's patients with vascular involvement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty Behçet's patients (22 with vascular involvement) and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B (apoB), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, total cholesterol, Lp-plA-2, homocysteine and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS program version 11.0. p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

RESULTS

hsCRP, TNF-α, homocysteine, IMA, apoA1, apoB, HDL, Lp-pla2 and ESR levels in patient and control groups were significantly different (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.005, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003 respectively). In Behçet's patients with vascular involvement, homocysteine, TNF-α and Lp-pla2 levels were significantly higher than in Behçet's patients without vascular involvement (p = 0.035, p = 0.010 and p < 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased levels of inflammatory and atherogenic markers in Behçet's patients are an expected outcome due to the inflammatory nature of the disease. Especially, elevated levels of homocysteine, TNF-α and Lp-pla2 make them candidate diagnostic tools to be helpful in clinical evaluation of Behçet's disease patients with vascular involvement.

Elevated Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis

Objective: Homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been investigated in many diseases, such as neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. However, changes in Hcy levels in anti-N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis have not been investigated thus far.

Methods: Case data were collected from 45 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis and 179 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Clinical characteristics, Hcy levels, C reactive protein (CRP) levels, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters were determined. Association of Hcy and clinical parameters were evaluated in these patients. Among these 45 patients, 15 had a follow-up evaluation at 3 months after treatment.

Results: Hcy levels (p < 0.001) and CRP levels (p = 0.005) from the patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were significantly higher than those from HCs. Hcy levels from male patients were significantly lower than those from male HCs (p < 0.001). Comparing anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients after treatment with before treatment, the former has significantly higher Hcy levels (p = 0.004), CRP levels (p = 0.041) and mRS scores (p = 0.002). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between the changes in Hcy levels and the changes in mRS scores (r = −0.534, p = 0.040) was observed.

Conclusion: Elevated plasma homocysteine occurs in anti-NMDAR encephalitis, and seems associated with male sex.

Hyperhomocysteinemia: a cardiovascular risk factor in autoimmune diseases?

Epidemiological studies conducted over the past 25 years have provided ample support for the association of mild hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) with an elevated risk of atherothrombosis. Since autoimmune disorders (AD) are frequently associated with relevant and early signs of atherothrombotic damage not adequately explained by the traditional risk factors involved in the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a large interest has been shown to the putative role of mild HHcy in this setting. On the basis of such considerations, we focused the attention on the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) and CVD in patients affected with autoimmune diseases, reviewing the most recent literature data and also providing our original experience. Although the large amount of available studies clearly shows that HHcy represents a common finding in patients affected with several autoimmune diseases, the actual role of Hcy in the development of CVD in the course of AD is not clear yet, perhaps, with the only exception of the systemic lupus erythematosus. In the other conditions, the role of Hcy in the pathogenesis of vascular complications is still a matter of debate, as the result of conflicting reports and/or lack of an adequate body of investigation. Lupus (2007) 16, 852—862.

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.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and variations of homocysteine concentrations in patients with Behcet's disease

BACKGROUND

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic, relapsing, multi-systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown causes. This disease is mainly characterized by mucocutaneous, ocular, vascular, and central nervous system manifestations. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and the plasma homocysteine (Hcy), folate, and B12 levels in a relatively large cohort of Tunisian patients with BD.

METHODS

The study included 142 patients with BD and 172 healthy controls. The C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-RFLP. Serum Hcy level was determined using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.

RESULTS

Genotype and allele frequencies of the two studied MTHFR polymorphisms did not show any significant differences among BD patients compared to controls. Patient carriers of the 677TT variant and the 677T allele displayed significantly higher Hcy concentration. Moreover, no significant association was found between neither A1298C polymorphism nor the C allele and Hcy, folate, and B12 levels. In multivariate analyses, we reported that 677T allele, male gender, and creatinine level were independent risk factors for hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, we report the absence of any significant differences between genotype and allele frequencies for both studied polymorphisms among BD patients compared to healthy controls. Besides, we showed that the T allele of MTHFR C677T polymorphism influenced the Hcy level which is an independent risk factor for HHC in Tunisian BD patients.

Ocular Behçet disease: current therapeutic approaches

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To alert physician to timely recognition and current treatment of recurrent hypopyon iridocyclitis or panuveitis in ocular Behçet disease (OBD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Interferon-α, rituximab, intravitreal triamcinolone, and biological response modifiers by tumor necrosis factor inhibitors such as infliximab and adalimumab are being used increasingly for the treatment of severe sight-threatening ocular inflammation including retinal vasculitis and cystoid macular edema (CME).

SUMMARY

Biological agents offer tremendous potential in the treatment of OBD. Given that OBD predominantly afflicts the younger adults in their most productive years, dermatologist, rheumatologist, internist, or general practitioners supervising patients with oculo-articulo-oromucocutaneous syndromes should be aware of systemic Behçet disease. Early recognition of ocular involvement is important and such patients should strongly be instructed to visit immediately an ophthalmologist, as uveitis management differs from extraocular involvements with high ocular morbidity from sight-threatening complications due to relapsing inflammatory attacks in the posterior segment of the eye. A single infliximab infusion should be considered for the control of acute panuveitis, whereas repeated long-term infliximab infusions were proved to be more effective in reducing the number of episodes in refractory uveoretinitis with faster regression and complete remission of CME.

Hyperhomocysteinaemia in Behçet's Disease

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate if hyperhomocysteinaemia is a contributive risk factor for the pathogenesis and the activity of Behçet's disease (BD). Design and Methods. Fifty four patients fullfiling the criteria of the International Study Group for BD were enrolled. Fifty healthy volunteers matched for age and sex with the BD group were included as a negative control group. Patients, with any condition that might affect plasma homocysteine concentration, were excluded. Results. Mean serum homocysteine concentration was significantly higher in patients with BD than in the healthy controls (P < .001), in patients with active disease (P = .04), and in masculine gender (P = .05). There was no significant difference between homocysteine level and clinical involvement. Conclusions. We demonstrated that plasma total homocysteine level (tHcy) is increased in BD and correlated with disease activity. No association was found between homocysteine levels and clinical involvement.

Assessment of serum homocysteine, endothelin-1, and nitric oxide levels in behçet's disease

BACKGROUND

Some prominent features of Behçet's disease (BD) are arterial and venous thromboses as a result of endothelial dysfunction. Hyperhomocysteinemia is responsible for vascular endothelial injury due to an increased frequency of thrombogenesis. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a vasoconstrictor whereas nitric oxide (NO) is an endothelial vasorelaxing peptide that is responsible for the inhibition of platelet adhesion.

AIM

To evaluate serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and determine whether hyperhomocysteinemia is considered as a contributing risk factor for venous and arterial thromboses of BD, and to correlate serum levels of ET-1 and NO with disease activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured serum levels of Hcy, ET-1, and nitrite (NO(2) (-)) in 25 patients who fulfilled the criteria of the International Study Group for BD, and compared them to those of 15 healthy control subjects. Levels of Hcy and ET-1 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas serum nitrite (NO(2) (-)) levels were measured by using Griess reaction as an indicator for NO production. All the patients were screened for a history of venous thrombosis and subdivided into thrombotic and nonthrombotic subgroups according to their thrombotic history. Patients with BD were divided into two subgroups, active and inactive, according to their clinical and laboratory findings.

RESULTS

There were significant increases in serum levels of Hcy, ET-1, and nitrite in BD patients compared to those in controls. There was a significant increase in serum Hcy levels in thrombotic compared to nonthrombotic subgroups. Positive correlations were detected between the serum ET-1 and nitrite levels with disease activity in BD patients.

CONCLUSION

Hyperhomocysteinemia may play some role in the development of venous and arterial thromboses in BD. Increased NO production might ave critical biological activities that are relevant to pathological events in the active period of the disease.

Homocysteine levels in patients with Behçet's disease and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

The mechanism for vascular involvement of Behçet disease (BD) includes arterial and venous thrombosis. Although the exact etiology of systemic vasculitis and thrombosis is still unknown, many hypotheses have been suggested. One of these hypotheses is that hyperhomocysteinemia causes vascular disease and thrombosis. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of homocysteine, vitamin B(12), and folic acid of BD patients with those of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients and healthy controls. Forty-five BD patients, 47 RAS patients, and 69 healty control subjects were included in this study. Vitamin B(12), folic acid, and homocysteine levels of the patients and controls were measured, and statistical differences among the groups were determined. BD patients had mostly cutaneous symptoms. Arthritis and ocular and vascular involvement were seen in 24.4%, 22%, and 11% of BD patients, respectively. No significant difference was detected among the groups in the levels of vitamin B(12), folic acid, and homocysteine. There was no significant difference in any parameters according to sex and age of the patients and activity of BD and if the patients with BD were treated or not. Homocysteine level inversely correlated with vitamin B(12) and folic acid levels in the BD group. We could not find any differences in homocysteine, vitamin B(12), and folic acid levels between BD and RAS patients and controls. This may be due to the fact that our patients mostly had cutaneous symptoms rather than vascular involvement.

What Does It Take to Diagnose Behçet Disease?

Behçet disease is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology initially described as a triad of recurrent oral ulcers, genital ulcers, and hypopyon uveitis affecting young male adults. Internationally agreed diagnostic criteria have been proposed to assist in the diagnosis. We present the case of a 26-year-old African-American male who presented with right brachial plexopathy due to axillary aneurysm. Further evaluation revealed the presence of a common carotid artery aneurysm, superior vena cava, and left subclavian vein thrombosis. A few months later, he developed severe bilateral panuveitis with hypopyon, retinal vasculitis, and optic nerve inflammation. Although our patient had no recollection of oral or genital ulcers, the constellation of deep vein thrombosis, multiple arterial aneurysms, bilateral panuveitis, positive pathergy skin test, and elevated inflammatory markers led to the working diagnosis of Behçet disease. Arterial involvement occurs in 3%-5% of patients with Behçet disease and may manifest as either true or false aneurysms. Deep vein thrombosis is the most common venous manifestation and involvement of venae cavae and their tributaries is not uncommon. Anterior and posterior uveitis and retinal vasculitis not only have a prognostic value in Behçet disease but in this particular case supported the diagnosis. In conclusion, incomplete forms of Behçet vasculitis exist and clinicians should be alert to atypical presentations of the disease.

An unusual case of Behçet's disease presenting with postpartum ovarian iliac vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Thrombosis of the ovarian vein is a rare complication which arises classically in the postpartum. We report a case of 24-year-old woman with a history of Behçet's disease, who presented with pelvic and thoracic pain, tachycardia, dyspnea and fever occurring 2 weeks after delivery. Computed tomography revealed an ascending thrombosis of the iliac and right ovarian veins complicated by bilateral pulmonary embolism. The patient responded well to the combination of anticoagulants and immunosuppressive agents. Behçet's disease should also be considered as an etiologic factor for ovarian vein thrombosis.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities in Tunisian patients

OBJECTIVES

To test the association between hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of lower extremities in Tunisians.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This case-control study included 90 patients with DVT of the lower extremities and 160 healthy controls. Plasma homocysteine, vitamin B(12) and folate were determined using immunoenzymatic methods. Logistic regression models were performed to test whether the association between HHC and DVT is independent and to precise determinants of HHC in DVT patients.

RESULTS

Plasma total homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in patients with DVT (17.4+/-11.5 micromol/L) and in patients with idiopathic DVT (15.2+/-6.4 micromol/L) as compared to controls (11.5+/-3.3 micromol/L). HHC was significantly associated (p<0.001) with all DVT (OR, 8.82; 95% CI, 3.96-19.6) as well as idiopathic DVT (OR, 7.40; 95% CI, 3.01-10.8). These associations persisted after adjustment for several thrombosis risk factors. In patients with DVT, HHC was related to folate and vitamin B(12) concentrations, but neither to the type of occurrence nor to the recurrence of DVT.

CONCLUSION

HHC is independently associated with first DVT of lower extremities in Tunisians. Homocysteine should be assessed in patients with DVT and the effect of vitamin B supplementation should be tested among them.

New Clinical Syndromes in Dermatology

Dermatologists are in the unique position to be able to diagnose serious systemic diseases through skin findings; in addition, cutaneous manifestations can be associated with internal symptoms and clarify the pathogenesis and treatment of challenging new syndromes. Calciphylaxix, now renamed Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy, primarily affects patients with end-stage renal disease with concomitant hyperphosphatemia, increased calcium-phosphate product and hyperparathyroidism, skin biopsy and wound care are crucial parts of the diagnosis and treatment. Hyperhomocysteinemia may play a very important role in many cutaneous and systemic diseases including, chronic cutaneous wounds, systemic lupus erythematosus, Behcet's disease and psoriasis. Through a skin biopsy and biochemical analysis of the proteoglycans accumulation it may be possible to diagnose a new systemic mucinosis and prevent sudden death in patients with severe mitral valve prolapse. Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy is a newly described fibrosing disorder occurring in patients with end stage renal disease, the etiology and pathogenesis are still unknown, and the ultimate course of this disease has not been defined.

Visual aspects of behçet’s disease

Behçet's disease is a systemic vasculitis characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers and ocular inflammation. The disease may also involve the joints, skin, central nervous system, the lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Ocular manifestations include anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis, macular edema, retinal vasculitis, conjunctival ulcers, optic neuropathy, papilledema, secondary glaucoma, cataract, and neovascularization of iris or retina. The cause of Behçet's disease is unknown, but autoimmune and genetic factors are considered important in its pathogenesis. Promising new imaging techniques and treatments are available to provide better management for patients. This review focuses on recent data on visual aspects, pathogenesis, and the treatment of Behçet's disease.

Visual aspects of BehÇet’s disease

Behçet's disease is a systemic vasculitis characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers and ocular inflammation. The disease may also involve the joints, skin, central nervous system, the lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Ocular manifestations include anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis, macular edema, retinal vasculitis, conjunctival ulcers, optic neuropathy, papilledema, secondary glaucoma, cataract, and neovascularization of iris or retina. The cause of Behçet's disease is unknown but autoimmune and genetic factors are considered important in its pathogenesis. Promising new imaging techniques and treatments are available to provide better management for patients. This review focuses on recent data on visual aspects, pathogenesis, and the treatment of Behçet's disease.