Can a short period of micronutrient supplementation in older institutionalized people improve response to influenza vaccine? A randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that a micronutrient supplement can improve seroconversion after influenza immunization in older institutionalized people.


METHODS
: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
Nursing and residential homes in Liverpool, United Kingdom.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-four residents aged 60 and older from 31 homes were initially randomized; of these, 119 (72.6%) completed the study.


METHODS
Participants were randomized to receive a micronutrient supplement providing the reference nutrient intake for all vitamins and trace elements or identical placebo. Tablets were taken over an 8-week period during September and October 2000; influenza vaccine was administered 4 weeks after their commencement.


METHODS
The hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody response as defined by a fourfold or greater titer rise over 4 weeks and assessed separately for each of the three antigens contained in the 2000/2001 influenza vaccine (A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2), B/Beijing/184/93 (B)).


RESULTS
Despite a significant increase in serum concentrations of vitamins A, C, D3, E, folate, and selenium in the supplemented group, there was no significant difference between groups (supplemented vs placebo, respectively) in the proportion of participants seroconverting to H1N1 (41% vs 49%, P=.374), H3N2 (49% vs 58%, P=.343), or B (41% vs 40%, P=.944).


CONCLUSIONS
A micronutrient supplement providing the reference nutrient intake administered over 8 weeks had no beneficial effect on antibody response to influenza vaccine in older people living in long-term care.
Allsup
Stephen J
SJ
Departments of Geriatric Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, and Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom. stephenallsup@tinyworld.co.uk
Shenkin
Alan
A
Gosney
Margot A
MA
Taylor
Stephen
S
Taylor
William
W
Hammond
Margaret
M
Zambon
Maria C
MC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000502:physiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D018977:Micronutrients; D014815:Vitamins; D005492:Folic Acid; D012643:Selenium