THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ADOLESCENTS - THE CARRIERS OF POLYMORPHISMS OF GENES OF THE FOLATE CYCLE

Abstract

Introduction. Quality of life (QL) reflects the full picture of the state of health of the child and provides important information that goes beyond the clinical symptoms. Therefore, taking into consideration features of QL parameters of adolescents - carriers of polymorphisms of genes of the folate cycle is extremely important for preventing long-term adverse effects (depression, cognitive impairment, psycho-emotional lability). Purpose of the study. Determination of QL of adolescents with polymorphic substitutions in the genes of the folate cycle and the presence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC). Materials and method. Under observation there were 157 boys aged of 16-17 years. The general questionnaire - Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.0) was used as a tool for studying QL of observed cases. Determination of allelic variants of folate cycle genes was carried out in the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics. There was applied the lay-based analysis method of polymerase chain reaction in real time (Real-Time PCR) with using the TaqMan probes competing. Results. In the presence of heterozygotes or homozygotes compound gene MTHFR, MTR, MTRR in adolescents, there was noted a statistically significant reduction in QL indices in emotional and school functioning, psychosocial health and total score. HHC in adolescents was found to significantly reduce the QL indices of emotional, school functioning, psychosocial health and total score. Homocystein level in blood plasma is adjusted when assigning folic acid, resulting in a significant improvement of QL in adolescents. Conclusion. In order to prevent long-term negative effects (depression, emotional lability, cognitive impairments, mental illness, thrombosis), it is worth to carry out a study of QL in adolescents with assessment both of polymorphic substitutions in the genes of the folate cycle and the level of homocysteine in the blood plasma for the timely prescription folate, vitamin correction and improvement QL in adolescents.