The effect of vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on routine haematological parameters in older people: an individual participant data meta-analysis

Antonia Smelt, Jacobijn Gussekloo, Lynette Bermingham, Elizabeth Allen, Alan Dangour, Simone Eussen, Bernard Favrat, Lisette De Groot, Frans Kok, Timothy Kwok, Arduino Mangoni, George Ntaios, Ondine De Rest, Eric Seal, Paul Vaucher, Petra Verhoef, Theo Stijnen, Wendy Deb Elzen

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    8 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background/objectives: Low vitamin B12 and folate levels in community-dwelling older people are usually corrected with supplements. However, the effect of this supplementation on haematological parameters in older persons is not known. Therefore, we executed a systematic review and individual participant data meta-Analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). Subjects/methods: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane and CENTRAL for RCTs published between January 1950 and April 2016, where community-dwelling elderly (60+ years) who were treated with vitamin B12 or folic acid or placebo. The presence of anaemia was not required. We analysed the data on haematological parameters with a two-stage IPD meta-Analysis. Results: We found 494 full papers covering 14 studies. Data were shared by the authors of four RCTs comparing vitamin B12 with placebo (n = 343) and of three RCTs comparing folic acid with placebo (n = 929). We found no effect of vitamin B12 supplementation on haemoglobin (change 0.00 g/dL, 95% CI:-0.19;0.18), and no effect of folic acid supplementation (change-0.09 g/dL, 95% CI:-0.19;0.01). The effects of supplementation on other haematological parameters were similar. The effects did not differ by sex or by age group. Also, no effect was found in a subgroup of patients with anaemia and a subgroup of patients who were treated >4 weeks. Conclusions: Evidence on the effects of supplementation of low concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate on haematological parameters in community-dwelling older people is inconclusive. Further research is needed before firm recommendations can be made concerning the supplementation of vitamin B12 and folate.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)785-795
    Number of pages11
    JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition
    Volume72
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2018

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