A major study published today (August 5) in the BMJ has found that multivitamin and multimineral supplements taken by older people living at home are unlikely to prevent infections.
The findings follow a major trial conducted by the University of Aberdeen involving more than 900 people from the Grampian area aged 65 and over.
Respiratory and urinary infections are common reasons for the elderly to contact GPs, while viral respiratory infections can lead to hospital admissions for old people with diabetes, cardiac and lung diseases.
A UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey found evidence of multiple nutritional deficiencies in older people. Deficiencies were greater in Scotland that in Southern England, and in those over 75.
At least a quarter of older people in the UK take nutritional supplements, but it is unclear whether these supplements prevent infections among the elderly who live at home.
Dr Alison Avenell, Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen’s Health Services Research Unit, led the study. She said: “The vitamin and mineral levels of some older people are less than they should be, lowering their immunity and putting them at risk of developing infections.
“We examined whether taking vitamin and mineral supplements made any difference to infections, reduced general practice consultation rates and improved quality of life in people aged 65 and over. We also explored whether supplement taking was cost effective.
“We found that regular use of these supplements by people living in the community is unlikely to reduce the number of infections or prevent people seeking medical help for infections.”
Dr Avenell added: “It remains to be seen whether higher-risk populations, such as older people living in nursing home care, benefit from supplementation in terms of infections.”
Researchers recruited patients from six GP practices in Grampian and participants were randomised to take either one tablet daily of a multivitamin and multimineral supplement or a dummy tablet for a year.
Participants were asked to keep a diary of when they had an infection and when they had seen their general practice for an infection. They also had to note their quality of life, such as their physical and social functioning, mental health, vitality, pain and perception of general health.
Researchers found supplementation made no difference to participants’ contacts with primary care staff - mainly GPs and practice nurses. Again the supplements made no difference to patients’ infections and quality of life.
The findings are published in the paper Effect of multivitamin and multimineral supplements on morbidity from infections in older people (MAVIS) trial: pragmatic, randomised double blind, placebo controlled trial which appears in today’s BMJ.
The MAVIS (Mineral and Vitamin Intervention Study) trial was funded by The Health Foundation - an independent charity that aims to improve health and the quality of healthcare for the people of the UK: www.health.org.uk