Effect of folic acid supplementation on the progression of carotid intima-media thickness: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Xianhui Qin, Minrui Xu, Yan Zhang, Jianping Li, Xin Xu, Xiaobin Wang, Xiping Xu, Yong Huo

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: We conducted a meta-analysis of relevant randomized trials to assess whether folic acid supplementation reduces the progression of atherosclerosis as measured by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Methods: This analysis included 2052 subjects from ten folic acid randomized trials with the change in CIMT reported as one of the end points. Summary estimates of weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% CIs were obtained by using random-effect models. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to identify the source of heterogeneity. Results: Our analysis showed that folic acid supplementation significantly reduces the progression of CIMT (WMD: -0.04. mm; 95%CI: -0.07, -0.02; P< 0.001), particularly in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (WMD: -0.16. mm; 95%CI: -0.26, -0.07; P= 0.0006) or high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (WMD: -0.05. mm; 95%CI: -0.11, 0.00; P= 0.06) but not in subjects who were generally healthy with only elevated homocysteine concentrations (WMD:0.00. mm; 95%CI: -0.01, 0.01; P= 0.35). Furthermore, meta-regression analysis of the data showed that the baseline CIMT levels (P= 0.011) and the percent reduction of homocysteine (P< 0.001) were positively related to the effect size. Consistently, a greater beneficial effect was seen in those trials with baseline CIMT levels ≥0.8. mm (WMD: -0.14. mm; 95%CI: -0.19, -0.08; P< 0.0001), and a reduction in the homocysteine concentration ≥30% (WMD: -0.22. mm; 95%CI: -0.38, -0.06; P= 0.009). In the corresponding comparison groups, the effect sizes were attenuated and insignificant. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that folic acid supplementation is effective in reducing the progression of CIMT, particularly in subjects with CKD or high CVD risk and among trials with higher baseline CIMT levels or a larger homocysteine reduction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)307-313
Number of pages7
JournalAtherosclerosis
Volume222
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carotid intima-media thickness
  • Controlled trials
  • Folic acid supplementation
  • Meta-analysis
  • Randomized

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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