Effect of multivitamin and multimineral supplements on morbidity from infections in older people (MAVIS trial): pragmatic, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial.

Journal article

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether supplementation with multivitamins and multiminerals influences self reported days of infection, use of health services, and quality of life in people aged 65 or over. DESIGN: Randomised, placebo controlled trial, with blinding of participants, outcome assessors, and investigators. SETTING: Communities associated with six general practices in Grampian, Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: 910 men and women aged 65 or over who did not take vitamins or minerals. INTERVENTIONS: Daily multivitamin and multimineral supplementation or placebo for one year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were contacts with primary care for infections, self reported days of infection, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes included antibiotic prescriptions, hospital admissions, adverse events, and compliance. RESULTS: Supplementation did not significantly affect contacts with primary care and days of infection per person (incidence rate ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.78 to 1.19 and 1.07, 0.90 to 1.27). Quality of life was not affected by supplementation. No statistically significant findings were found for secondary outcomes or subgroups. CONCLUSION: Routine multivitamin and multimineral supplementation of older people living at home does not affect self reported infection related morbidity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN: 66376460.

Authors: Avenell, A; Campbell, M; Cook, J; Hannaford, P; Kilonzo, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: BMJ (Clinical research ed.)
• Volume: 331
• Issue: 7512
• Pages: 324-329
• Publication date: 2005-08-01
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.331.7512.324
• EISSN: 1756-1833
• ISSN: 0959-8138
• Language: English
• Keywords: Tablets; Female; Patient Compliance; Minerals; Family Practice; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Aged; Humans; Double-Blind Method; Infection; Risk Factors; Quality of Life; Vitamins