The prevalence and correlates of taking folic acid and vitamin supplements among adults aged ≥ 45 years with CVD.

OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence and likelihood of taking folic acid or vitamin supplements among adults with CHD or stroke v. adults without these conditions. DESIGN A cross-sectional Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System survey was conducted in twelve states of the United States and Puerto Rico in 2006. Self-reported data from participants were collected. SETTING The United States. SUBJECTS US non-institutionalised adults (n 41 792), aged ≥ 45 years. RESULTS Of all participants, 5445 had CHD and 2076 had stroke. Significantly higher percentages of women than men reported taking folic acid or vitamin supplements. After adjustment for potential confounders, women with CHD had a significantly lower adjusted prevalence (AP) and adjusted OR (AOR) than women without CHD for taking folic acid less than one time per d (AP = 3·9 % v. 5·5 %; AOR = 0·56; 95 % CI 0·39, 0·81), for taking folic acid one to four times per d (AP = 50·0 % v. 57·5 %; AOR = 0·68; 95 % CI 0·60, 0·79), and for taking vitamin supplements (AP = 60·9 % v. 69·9 %; AOR = 0·66; 95 % CI 0·57, 0·76). Men with CHD had a significantly higher AP (50·4 % v. 46·2 %) and AOR (1·17; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·33) of taking folic acid one to four times per d than men without CHD. In both sexes, adults with stroke were as likely as those without to take these supplements. CONCLUSIONS Substantial variations in the prevalence and likelihood of taking folic acid or vitamin supplements exist by gender and by CHD status, but not by stroke status.