Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an antioxidant preparation on the progression of peripheral arterial disease, and to identify any effects on mood. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of antioxidant was performed in 120 men and women with intermittent claudication and an ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) 0.9 in at least one limb. Patients were treated for 2 years with a preparation containing beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, zinc sulphate and sodium selenite, or identical placebo. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the ABPI, plasma cholesterol and walking distance were recorded at recruitment and after 2 years. Depression scores were slightly higher in the antioxidant group at baseline, but after 2 years this trend was reversed with significantly lower depression scores in the antioxidant group. There were no significant differences in anxiety scores between the two groups, but there was a trend towards less anxiety in the antioxidant group and more in those on placebo. Both groups showed small increases in cholesterol levels, and slight improvements in ABPI and walking distance, but these were not significant and did not correlate with anxiety or depression. An improvement in mood was demonstrated following antioxidant therapy, which was not related to improvement in underlying disease or explained by selective withdrawal from the trial.