Elderly people have a high incidence of respiratory tract infections, which at this age are often accompanied by high mortality. Vitamin E increases immunological responsiveness in the elderly, while the clinical significance of these changes is less clear.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 617 nursing home patients at least 65 years of age received vitamin E (200 IU) or placebo for 1 year. The incidence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, the number of days patients had symptoms of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, and the frequency of prescribing antibiotics for respiratory infections in all randomized and in patients who completed the study were recorded. Both groups received daily multivitamins and minerals in half doses. Until the end of the study, 451 patients were observed.

Vitamin E had no statistically significant effect on the incidence rate of upper and lower respiratory tract infections and the total number of sick days. However, fewer patients receiving vitamin E reported 1 or more episodes of respiratory tract infection (60% vs 68%; odds ratio [OR] 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-1.00; p = 0.048 for all participants; and 65% vs 74%; OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.75-0.99; p = 0.04 for patients participating in the study before its completion), or upper respiratory tract infection (44% vs 52%; OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.69-1.00; p = 0.05 for all patients; and 50% vs 62%; OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.66-0.96; p = 0.01 for those who participated in the study until its completion). The delayed analysis revealed a decrease in the incidence of colds in patients in the experimental group participating in the study until its completion (0.66 vs 0.83 / person / year; OS 0.80; 95% CI 0.64-0, 98; p = 0.04), and fewer patients had one or more episodes of colds in the vitamin E group (40% vs 48%; OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.67-1.00; p = 0.05 for all patients; and 46% vs 57%; OR 0 , 80; 95% CI 0.64-0.96; p = 0.02 for those who participated in the study until its completion). Vitamin E intake had no statistically significant effect on the frequency of antibiotic use.

Thus, the administration of vitamin E at a dose of 200 PIECES per day to the patients of retirement homes did not affect the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections. However, the prophylactic effect of vitamin E on upper respiratory tract infections, especially the common cold, has been observed. This fact requires further research.