title: The role of vitamin E in the prevention of coronary events and stroke. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Vitamin E as an anti-oxidant vitamin, was suggested to have a role in the prevention of CVD. We did a meta-analysis, using the Cochrane Group Methodology, of all available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the role of vitamin E in the prevention of CVD. Nine studies met inclusion criteria, including 80,645 participants. Vitamin E supplementation was not associated with a reduction in total mortality or total CVD mortality, but it was associated with a small statistically significant reduction in non-fatal myocardial infarction in patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease. Prophylactic use of vitamin E in doses ranging between 50-800 IU was not associated with any increase in the incidence of serious side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Polyclinic, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. alkhenizan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Abdullah H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Alkhenizan
authors.forename: Mohammed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al-Omran
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E