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

BACKGROUND: Studies 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. METHODS: Two 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. RESULTS: A 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. CONCLUSION: Elevated homocysteine level in the acute stage of ischemic stroke may be an independent predictor of PSD.