PERTH, Australia—Long-term administration of B vitamins does not reduce the risk of recurrent vascular events in patients who have suffered a stroke or ischemia, according to a study published in The Lancet Neurology (2010;9(9):855-65. DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(10)70187-3). The VITATOPS Trial, coordinated out of Royal Perth Hospital, convened in late 1998 and wrapped up in December 2009. The team sought to determine whether daily supplements of B vitamins could lower homocysteine levels and reduce the risk of recurrent non-fatal stroke or non-fatal myocardial infarction, or of death attributable to vascular causes.
The trial included 8,164 patients with previous stroke or transient ischemia from 123 medical centers in 20 countries. The double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial looked at the use of B vitamins (2 mg/d folic acid, 25 mg/d B6 and 0.5 mg/d B12) in secondary prevention of stroke and other vascular events (myocardial infarction and vascular death). A total of 616 patients assigned to B vitamins and 678 in the placebo group reached the primary endpoint.
There were no adverse events reported with B vitamin therapy, but the intervention was not more effective than placebo in reducing the incidence of major vascular events or recurrent stroke. The VITATOPS group anticipates further trials and patient data meta-analysis may further understanding of the effects of B vitamins in this population.
