Abstract
Background: Stroke is the second most common cause of death and major cause of disability worldwide. Plasma homocysteine concentration is one of the emerging modifiable risk factor for stroke. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fasting homocysteine level in different type of stroke (Ischemia & Hemorrhage). MATERIAL & METHOD: The present study is case control study in which 90 patients with diagnosis of stroke (intracerebral infarct & hemorrhage) were enrolled and fasting serum homocysteine were measured in all and its comparison was done with matched healthy controls. Result: In study group the mean serum homocysteine level is 31.47±39.89µmol/L and in control group 16.62±22.08µmol/L, it indicates that serum homocysteine level is highly significantly raised (P value < 0.0001) in cases of stroke compared with control patients. However there is no significant difference in homocysteine level between intracerebral infarct and intracerebral hemorrhage (P= 0.5817). There is significant relationship of raised serum homocysteine level with hypertension & smoking. Conclusion: The present study revealed that hyperhomocysteinemia appears to be an important risk factor for cerebrovascular accidents. It is therefore important to use serum homocysteine level as an important tool to investigate all cases of cerebrovascular accidents and also in those who are at risk of developing stroke.