Hyperhomocysteinemia and Other Inherited Prothrombotic Conditions in Young Adults With a History of Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— The mechanisms of ischemic stroke in young adults are poorly understood. During the last years, several studies suggested a role for genetic factors predisposing to thrombophilia and for moderate hyperhomocysteinemia in this setting. Methods— We evaluated in 132 consecutive patients (66 males, 66 females; mean±SD age, 38.4±11.7 years; mean±SD age at first event, 34.8±10.9 years; range, 6 months to 50 years) referred to our center between January 1997 and December 1999 for a history of young adult ischemic stroke (age at first event, <51 years) the prevalence of factor V (FV) Leiden, prothrombin (FII) G20210A, and C677T and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutations and fasting serum total homocysteine levels. Two hundred sixty-two apparently healthy subjects (117 males, 145 females; mean±SD age, 36±13.2 years) served as controls. Results— Total homocysteine levels differed significantly (P=0.004, t test) between patients and controls: 13.03±18.61 versus 10.75±6...