Multivitamins do not improve radiation therapy related fatigue: Results of a double-blind randomized cross-over trial

Abstract

9103 Background: Fatigue is a common symptom in cancer patients including those receiving radiation therapy. Multivitamins are broadly used by cancer patients to improve overall health and energy. Methods: We conducted a double blind randomized cross- over trial of multivitamins versus placebo in patients with breast cancer (BC) undergoing radiation therapy (Rxt) in order to evaluate if multivitamins would affect fatigue and quality of life. We randomized patients at the beginning of Rxt treatment to either placebo or Centrum Silver (Wyeth-Whitehall laboratory). At the middle of the radiation treatments patients were switched from placebo to multivitamins and vice versa. Patients answered to the EORTC QLQ C-30 quality of life (QOL) and Chalder fatigue questionnaires at the beginning, the time of switching and at the end of Rxt. Results: We randomized forty patients to either placebo or Centrum Silver. At the middle of the radiation treatments patients were switched from placebo to MVi and vice versa. Patients answered the EORTC QLQ C-30 quality of life (QOL) and Chalder fatigue questionnaires at the beginning, the middle and at the end of Rxt. Both groups experienced decreases in general (p = 0.009; p = 0.001) and physical fatigue scores (p = 0.031; p = 0.029) at the end of the course of placebo compared to the assessment prior to this treatment. We also observed significant improvements in functional (p = 0.026) and symptoms (p = 0.016) score scales of the QOL questionnaire in the patients on placebo. No significant changes were elicited with the use of MVi. We also observed significantly lower rates of fatigue in the patients who had just finished a course of placebo as compared to patients finishinga course of MVi (0 vs 25% p = 0.035). Conclusions: MVi do not improve radiation related fatigue in patients with BC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.