Efficacy of Folic Acid in the Prevention of Gastrointestinal Tumors in Elder:a Meta-analysis / 中国药房

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the efficacy of folic acid in the prevention of gastrointestinal(GI)tumors in elder,and provide evidence-based reference for the clinical treatment. METHODS:Retrieved from Cochrane Library,PubMed,EM-Base,Web of Science,CMB,CJFD,VIP and Wanfang Database,the randomized controlled trials (RCT) about folic acid (test group)versus placebo(control group)in the prevention of GI tumors in elder(age>50 years old). After quality evaluation and da-ta extract,Meta-analysis was performed buy using Rev Man 5.3 statistics software. RESULTS:A total of 9 RCT were included,in-volving 29 494 patients. Results of Meta-analysis showed there was no significant difference in the incidence of GI tumors between 2 groups[RR=0.91,95%CI(0.74,1.12),P=0.38]. Results of subgroup analysis showed the incidence of GI tumors was not affected by GI tumor stage,age,basic serum folic acid level,type and dose of folic acid and follow-up time during follow-up period. CON-CLUSIONSFolic acid supplement can not effectively prevent the incidence of GI tumors in elder. The incidence of GI tumors in elder with different ages and baseline of folic acid are not decreased by any dose and duration,without obvious adverse reactions. It indicates that folic acid supplement should be careful and give full conscideration to the patients’general situation. Due to the limit of methodological quality and sample size,it remains to be further verified with more rigorously designed and long-term follow-up of large-scale RCT.