Multivitamins for acute respiratory tract infections: a rapid review.

Cramer, H; Hannan, N; Schloss, J; Leach, M; Lloyd, I; Steel, A

Multivitamins for acute respiratory tract infections: a rapid review.

Cramer, H Hannan, N Schloss, J Leach, M Lloyd, I Steel, A

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Advances in integrative medicine, 2020, 7, (4), pp. 227-231
Issue Date:: 2020-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Cramer, H
dc.contributor.author	Hannan, N
dc.contributor.author	Schloss, J
dc.contributor.author	Leach, M
dc.contributor.author	Lloyd, I
dc.contributor.author	Steel, A https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6643-9444
dc.date.accessioned	2020-12-14T00:09:24Z
dc.date.available	2020-12-14T00:09:24Z
dc.date.issued	2020-12
dc.identifier.citation	Advances in integrative medicine, 2020, 7, (4), pp. 227-231
dc.identifier.issn	2212-9588
dc.identifier.issn	2212-9596
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144663
dc.description.abstract	Brief Overview Seven human clinical trials with some risk of bias suggest that multivitamins may be a safe and effective intervention to relieve some symptoms of respiratory tract infections, increase micronutrient status and immune function; however, further research is needed. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend multivitamins as a therapy for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. Verdict The overall quality of research examining the effect of prophylactic multivitamin supplementation on the effects of the acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) is weak. Most of the available research included adults aged 50 years or over recruited through either the community or institutional settings (i.e. hospital facility, residential care facility). The multivitamin supplements used contained at least five vitamins and minerals and were administered between three months and two years (median: 15 months). Based on the available evidence, multivitamin supplementation does not appear to reduce the incidence of ARTI or mortality (both ARTI-related and all-cause). The effect of multivitamins taken before infection on the duration of ARTI is unclear due to conflicting results across studies. Multivitamins may, however, reduce the symptoms associated with ARTI such as headache, conjunctivitis, and activity restriction but not the overall symptom scores. No differences in health service visits, inclusive of primary and tertiary care, has been identified for individuals taking a multivitamin prior to an ARTI.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Advances in integrative medicine
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.aimed.2020.07.010
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.subject	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1111 Nutrition and Dietetics, 1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.title	Multivitamins for acute respiratory tract infections: a rapid review.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	7
utslib.location.activity	Netherlands
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine
utslib.for	1111 Nutrition and Dietetics
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2020-12-14T00:09:19Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	7
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

Brief Overview Seven human clinical trials with some risk of bias suggest that multivitamins may be a safe and effective intervention to relieve some symptoms of respiratory tract infections, increase micronutrient status and immune function; however, further research is needed. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend multivitamins as a therapy for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. Verdict The overall quality of research examining the effect of prophylactic multivitamin supplementation on the effects of the acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) is weak. Most of the available research included adults aged 50 years or over recruited through either the community or institutional settings (i.e. hospital facility, residential care facility). The multivitamin supplements used contained at least five vitamins and minerals and were administered between three months and two years (median: 15 months). Based on the available evidence, multivitamin supplementation does not appear to reduce the incidence of ARTI or mortality (both ARTI-related and all-cause). The effect of multivitamins taken before infection on the duration of ARTI is unclear due to conflicting results across studies. Multivitamins may, however, reduce the symptoms associated with ARTI such as headache, conjunctivitis, and activity restriction but not the overall symptom scores. No differences in health service visits, inclusive of primary and tertiary care, has been identified for individuals taking a multivitamin prior to an ARTI.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144663