ARS | Publication request: VITAMIN E AND RESPIRATORY INFECTION IN THE ELDERLY: LETTER IN REPLY TO EDITOR

Submitted to: Journal of the American Medical Association
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: October 28, 2004
Publication Date: December 15, 2004
Citation: Hamer, D.H., Meydani, S. 2004. Vitamin e and respiratory infection in the elderly: letter in reply to editor. Journal of the American Medical Association. 292(23):2834.

Technical Abstract: There are several major differences in study design as well as reported results between our study and that of Dr. Hemilä and colleagues. Their study was designed to determine the effect of vitamin E and beta-carotene on lung cancer in middle-aged and elderly (50 to 69 years) male smokers; ours was limited to elderly (>/=65 years), included both smokers and non-smokers as well as both men and women, and had incidence of respiratory infection as the primary outcome. In their study, the common cold incidence data were based on recall by the participants during thrice-annual visits; in contrast, we prospectively collected data once a week by means of an interview, focused physical examination, and chart review. Additionally, we assessed compliance with vitamin E supplementation by 3 different methods. Finally, while their study reported a reduction in the incidence of common colds only in elderly male smokers who resided in cities, we found a reduction in both incidence and risk of acquiring common colds in the elderly regardless of gender or smoking status. In addition, we disagree that the common cold is a short, self-limiting nuisance in the elderly. Falsey et al. reported an average of 14 days for rhinovirus/coronavirus infection in frail elderly. Because of the high attack rate, non-influenza-related viral upper respiratory tract infections are responsible for a substantial economic burden in the elderly. In addition, there is growing evidence that colds in the elderly are often complicated by lower respiratory illness, which may be severe in those with underlying lung disease and lead to hospitalization.