Meta-analysis of B vitamin supplementation on plasma homocysteine, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS:

Results from randomized controlled trials (RCT) of B vitamin supplementation on risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were inconclusive. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the effects of B vitamin supplementation on plasma homocysteine (Hcy), cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in RCT.

METHODS:

RCT publications on the effect of B vitamin supplementation on plasma Hcy, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality were searched from PubMed and web of science database. Data were independently abstracted by 2 investigators using a standardized protocol. The results were pooled with a fixed-effects model using Stata software.

RESULTS:

Data from 19 studies including 47921 participants were analyzed using a fixed-effects model. The overall relative risks with 95% confidence intervals of outcomes for patients treated with B vitamin supplementation compared with placebo were 0.98 (0.94-1.03) for CVD, 0.98 (0.92-1.05) for coronary heart disease (CHD), 0.97 (0.90-1.05) for myocardial infarction (MI), 0.88 (0.82-0.95) for stroke, and 0.97 (0.91-1.02) for cardiovascular death, 0.99 (0.95-1.04) for all-cause mortality. Blood Hcy levels were decreased in all included RCTs.

CONCLUSIONS:

B vitamin supplementation has a significant protective effect on stroke, but none on the risk of CVD, MI, CHD, cardiovascular death, or all-cause mortality.

• Authors: Tao Huang, Ying Chen, Bin Yang, Jing Yang, Mark L Wahlqvist, Duo Li
• Journal: Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (Clin Nutr) Vol. 31 Issue 4 Pg. 448-54 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1532-1983 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22652362 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Homocysteine
• Vitamin B Complex

Topics

• Coronary Disease (drug therapy, mortality, prevention & control)
• Databases, Factual
• Dietary Supplements
• Homocysteine (blood, drug effects)
• Humans
• Myocardial Infarction (drug therapy, mortality, prevention & control)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Risk Factors
• Stroke (drug therapy, mortality, prevention & control)
• Vitamin B Complex (administration & dosage)