Publication: Antioxidant vitamins supplementation and mortality: a randomized trial in head and neck cancer patients
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| Title | Antioxidant vitamins supplementation and mortality: a randomized trial in head and neck cancer patients |
| Topic | Vitamin A (beta-carotene), Vitamin E |
| Author | Bairati, I, Meyer, F, Jobin, E, Gélinas, M, Fortin, A, Nabid, A, Brochet, F, Têtu, B |
| Year | 2006 |
| Journal | International journal of cancer |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.22042 |
Author's Abstract The abstract and the information and conclusions contained therein were written by the authors of the publication.
| There has been concern that long-term supplementation with highdose antioxidant vitamins, especially vitamin E (α-tocopherol), may increase all-cause mortality. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with α-tocopherol (400 IU/day) and β-carotene (30 mg/day) supplements among 540 head and neck cancer patients treated by radiation therapy. Supplementation with β-carotene was discontinued during the trial. The supplements were given during radiation therapy and for 3 additional years. During the follow-up (median 6.5 years), 179 deaths were recorded. All death certificates were obtained. All-cause and cause-specific mortality rates were compared between the 2 arms of the trial by Cox regression. All-cause mortality was significantly increased in the supplement arm: hazard ratio: 1.38, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.85. Cause-specific mortality rates tended to be higher in the supplement arm than in the placebo arm. Our results concur with previous reports to suggest that high-dose vitamin E could be harmful. |
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