研究開発・学会発表

「Objective] Since a lack of folic acid leads to the accumulation of the amino acid homocysteine which is bad for conception, our clinic has actively recommended the intake of folic acid or folic acid-containing supplements. By clarifying the relationship between homocysteine levels and folic acid intake in infertility treatment patients, we provided an opportunity to consider them. [Method] A questionnaire was conducted on patients who underwent homocysteine blood testing from February 2023 to April 2024 regarding their knowledge of homocysteine and their intake of folic acid and supplements. [Results] The questionnaire was distributed to 250 people, and 76 people returned it (response rate 30.4%). The average age was 36.7 years, and the infertility treatment period was 3.2 years. The percentage of patients who were taking folic acid-containing supplements was 93.4%. The average homocysteine and serum folic acid levels of 385 patients tested at our clinic were 5.9 nmol/mL and 14.4 ng/mL, respectively, which was better than those of infertile patients at other facilities. In addition, compared to the standard values ​​at our clinic, 94.3% of patients had homocysteine levels within the normal range and 97.7% had folic acid levels within the normal range. In response to the question, “Do you think you are taking enough folic acid?”, 5.3% answered “sufficient,” 80.3% answered “probably,” and 14.4% answered “no”.  The average homocysteine ​​levels of each answer group above were 5.8, 5.9, and 5.5 nmol/ml, and the folic acid levels were 17.3, 17.9, and 17.0ng/ml, with no significant difference. The percentage of patients who were unaware that taking folic acid reduces the homocysteine ​​concentration in the blood was 84.2%. [Discussion] The average homocysteine ​​and folic acid levels were better than those of infertile patients at other facilities, and the effect of folic acid fortification was observed. Since many patients are unaware of the relationship between folic acid and homocysteine levels, our clinic will endeavor to utilize leaflets on the relationship in order to help them understand why folic acid is necessary.