Frontiers in Psychiatry (Feb 2023)

Homocysteine level at the acute stage of ischemic stroke as a biomarker of poststroke depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Yanling Liang,
  • Xiangqun Shi,
  • Lue Chen,
  • Yongxin Li,
  • Jianping Zhong

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1016700
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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BackgroundStudies on the association of homocysteine level with poststroke depression (PSD) have yielded conflicting results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the elevated homocysteine level at the acute stage of ischemic stroke in predicting PSD.MethodsTwo authors systematically searched articles indexed in PubMed and Embase databases up to 31 January 2022. Studies evaluating the association of homocysteine level with the development of PSD in patients with acute ischemic stroke were selected.ResultsA total of 10 studies involving 2,907 patients were identified. The pooled adjusted odds ratio (OR) of PSD was 3.72 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.03–6.81] for the top vs. bottom homocysteine level. The value of elevated homocysteine level in predicting PSD was stronger in ≥6-month follow-up (OR 4.81; 95% CI 3.12–7.43) than those in ≤ 3-month follow-up subgroup (OR 3.20; 95% CI 1.29–7.91). Moreover, a per unit increase in homocysteine level conferred a 7% higher risk of PSD.ConclusionElevated homocysteine level in the acute stage of ischemic stroke may be an independent predictor of PSD.

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