PS02.183: MORTALITY AFTER MULTIVITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION: OVER 30 YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF THE RANDOMIZED LINXIAN DYSPLASIA NUTRITION INTERVENTION TRIAL

Abstract

Abstract Background To evaluate the long-term effects of multivitamin supplementation on total and cause-specific mortality, overall and by gender and age groups. Methods The Linxian Dysplasia Nutrition Intervention Trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of multivitamins conducted in an under-nourished population of 3318 persons aged 40–69 years with esophageal squamous dysplasia in northern China for six years (1985–1991). Participants were followed for nearly 25 additional years after cessation of supplementation. Results For the combined over 30 year intervention and post-intervention observation period, multivitamin supplementation did not affect total mortality in all participants combined (2578 deaths, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.90–1.04), in men (1229 deaths, HR = 0.91, 0.81–1.02) or women (1349 deaths, HR = 1.02, 0.91–1.13), or in younger (1130 deaths, HR = 1.00, 0.89–1.12) or older participants (1448 deaths, HR = 0.93, 0.84–1.04). A borderline association was observed for total mortality among older men, especially for heart disease mortality. Multivitamin supplementation reduced esaphageal/cardia cancer mortality by 27% among younger men. No effects were observed for deaths from any cancer, heart and cerebrovascular disease in either all subjects or women subgroups. Conclusion Taking multivitamins did not reduce total mortality in this under-nourished population. Together with previous results from the well-nourished populations, there is no evidence for an effect of multivitamin supplementation on overall mortality in either under- or well-nourished populations. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.