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


METHODS
Randomised, placebo controlled trial, with blinding of participants, outcome assessors, and investigators.


METHODS
Communities associated with six general practices in Grampian, Scotland.


METHODS
910 men and women aged 65 or over who did not take vitamins or minerals.


METHODS
Daily multivitamin and multimineral supplementation or placebo for one year.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine multivitamin and multimineral supplementation of older people living at home does not affect self reported infection related morbidity.


BACKGROUND
ISRCTN: 66376460.
Avenell
Alison
A
Health Services Research Unit, School of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD. a.avenell@abdn.ac.uk
Campbell
Marion K
MK
Cook
Jonathan A
JA
Hannaford
Philip C
PC
Kilonzo
Mary M
MM
McNeill
Geraldine
G
Milne
Anne C
AC
Ramsay
Craig R
CR
Seymour
D Gwyn
DG
Stephen
Audrey I
AI
Vale
Luke D
LD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013607:Tablets; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D008903:Minerals; D013607:Tablets; D014815:Vitamins