Meta-analysis of the relationship between homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂, folate, and multiple sclerosis

Zhu et al., 2011 | J Clin Neurosci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Zhu Ying, He Zhi-Yi, Liu He-Nan. Meta-analysis of the relationship between homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂, folate, and multiple sclerosis. J Clin Neurosci. 2011-Jul;18(7):933-8. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2010.12.022

Abstract

A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between serum homocysteine, vitamin B(12), and folate levels in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The DerSimonian and Laird Q test was used to evaluate the degree of heterogeneity between studies and a funnel plot was used to assess publication bias. The pooled effect size (standardized mean difference [SMD]) between patients with MS and control patients) from a random effects model was 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.18, 1.49) for homocysteine and -0.25 (-0.45, -0.04) for vitamin B(12), and from a fixed effects model was 0.98 (0.80, 1.16) for homocysteine and -0.25 (-0.41, -0.09) for vitamin B(12). Both nutrients were statistically significant, but the SMD for folate was not. Patients with MS were found to have raised homocysteine levels but low B(12) levels, which might contribute to the pathogenesis of MS.

Key Findings

Patients with MS were found to have raised homocysteine levels but low B(12) levels, which might contribute to the pathogenesis of MS.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	multiple sclerosis
Sample Size	See abstract
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	See abstract

MeSH Terms

Folic Acid
Homocysteine
Humans
Multiple Sclerosis
Vitamin B 12

Evidence Classification

Level: Meta Analysis
Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
Vertical: vitamin-b12

Provenance

PMID: 21570300
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2010.12.022
PMCID: Not in PMC
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09