Research Article

A comparative study investigating the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and red cell distribution width (RDW) in cases of gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis

Volume: 18 Number: 4 October 1, 2025
TR EN

A comparative study investigating the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and red cell distribution width (RDW) in cases of gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis

Abstract

Purpose: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a recognized independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, often linked to vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies. Atrophic gastritis (AG) and gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) represent distinct histological patterns of chronic gastric mucosal damage, both implicated in impaired vitamin B12 absorption. This study aimed to evaluate and compare serum homocysteine levels and their relationships with vitamin B12, folate and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in patients diagnosed with GIM, AG, and non-atrophic, non-metaplastic chronic gastritis. Materials and methods: The study enrolled 110 individuals categorized into three groups: GIM (n=46), AG (n=31), and control subjects with chronic gastritis without atrophy or metaplasia (n=33). Biochemical measurements included vitamin B12, folate, RDW and homocysteine. Participants with known cardiovascular risks or vitamin supplementation were excluded to reduce confounding factors. Results: Both GIM (11.49±4.95 μmol/L) and AG (9.37±3.87 μmol/L) groups exhibited significantly elevated homocysteine levels compared to controls (7.03±6.64 μmol/L; p<0.01 and p=0.042, respectively). Vitamin B12 concentrations were considerably lower in GIM (253.88±95.78 pmol/L) and AG (251.83±63.70 pmol/L) patients versus controls (363.69±123.41 pmol/L; p<0.01 for both). Folate levels were significantly diminished in the GIM group compared to controls (p=0.02). RDW showed a slight, non-significant increase in the GIM and AG groups compared to controls (16.11±2.72, 16.23±2.32, 15.17±2.27, respectively; p=0.069). Logistic regression identified male gender and presence of GIM or AG as independent predictors of hyperhomocysteinemia. Conclusion: Similar to AG, GIM is linked to increased serum homocysteine levels likely due to compromised vitamin B12 absorption. These findings highlight GIM as a potential metabolic risk factor for vitamin B12-related abnormalities, especially in patients lacking traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Etik onay alınmıştır numara180-08-14/19/06/2019

References

  1. Nygård O, Nordrehaug JE, Refsum H, Ueland PM, Farstad M, Vollset SE. Plasma homocysteine levels and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. N Engl J Med. 1997;337(4):230-236. doi:10.1056/NEJM199707243370403
  2. Gospodarczyk A, Marczewski K, Gospodarczyk N, Widuch M, Tkocz M, Zalejska Fiolka J. Homocysteine and cardiovascular disease - a current review. Wiad Lek. 2022;75(11 pt 2):2862-2866. doi:10.36740/WLek202211224
  3. Dinis Ribeiro M, Areia M, de Vries AC, et al. Management of precancerous conditions and lesions in the stomach (MAPS): guideline from the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), European Helicobacter Study Group (EHSG), European Society of Pathology (ESP), and the Sociedade Portuguesa de Endoscopia Digestiva (SPED). Endoscopy. 2012;44(1):74-94. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1291491
  4. Kösekli MA. Is Helicobacter pylori prevalence associated with the family population? Exp Biomed Res. 2022;5(2):217-224.
  5. de Gonzalo Calvo D, de Luxán Delgado B, Rodríguez González S, et al. Interleukin 6, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I and red blood cell distribution width as biological markers of functional dependence in an elderly population: a translational approach. Cytokine. 2012;58(2):193-198. doi:10.1016/j.cyto.2012.01.005
  6. Nishizaki Y, Yamagami S, Suzuki H, et al. Red blood cell distribution width as an effective tool for detecting fatal heart failure in super-elderly patients. Intern Med. 2012;51(17):2271-2276. doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.51.7938
  7. He Y, Liu C, Zeng Z, Ye W, Lin J, Ou Q. Red blood cell distribution width: a potential laboratory parameter for monitoring inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2018;37(1):161-167. doi:10.1007/s10067-017-3871-7
  8. Kutluana U, Simsek I, Akarsu M, Kupelioglu A, Karasu S, Altekin E. Is there a possible relation between atrophic gastritis and premature atherosclerosis?. Helicobacter. 2005;10(6):623-629. doi:10.1111/j.1523-5378.2005.00356.x

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

July 11, 2025

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Submission Date

June 11, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 8, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 18 Number: 4

APA
Kutluana, U. (2025). A comparative study investigating the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and red cell distribution width (RDW) in cases of gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis. Pamukkale Medical Journal, 18(4), 811-816. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1712261
AMA
1.Kutluana U. A comparative study investigating the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and red cell distribution width (RDW) in cases of gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis. Pam Med J. 2025;18(4):811-816. doi:10.31362/patd.1712261
Chicago
Kutluana, Ufuk. 2025. “A Comparative Study Investigating the Relationship Between Hyperhomocysteinemia and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in Cases of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia and Atrophic Gastritis”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 18 (4): 811-16. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1712261.
EndNote
Kutluana U (October 1, 2025) A comparative study investigating the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and red cell distribution width (RDW) in cases of gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis. Pamukkale Medical Journal 18 4 811–816.
IEEE
[1]U. Kutluana, “A comparative study investigating the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and red cell distribution width (RDW) in cases of gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis”, Pam Med J, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 811–816, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.31362/patd.1712261.
ISNAD
Kutluana, Ufuk. “A Comparative Study Investigating the Relationship Between Hyperhomocysteinemia and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in Cases of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia and Atrophic Gastritis”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 18/4 (October 1, 2025): 811-816. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1712261.
JAMA
1.Kutluana U. A comparative study investigating the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and red cell distribution width (RDW) in cases of gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis. Pam Med J. 2025;18:811–816.
MLA
Kutluana, Ufuk. “A Comparative Study Investigating the Relationship Between Hyperhomocysteinemia and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) in Cases of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia and Atrophic Gastritis”. Pamukkale Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 4, Oct. 2025, pp. 811-6, doi:10.31362/patd.1712261.
Vancouver
1.Ufuk Kutluana. A comparative study investigating the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and red cell distribution width (RDW) in cases of gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis. Pam Med J. 2025 Oct. 1;18(4):811-6. doi:10.31362/patd.1712261

Creative Commons Lisansı
Pamukkale Medical Journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License