Folic acid supplementation inhibits recurrence of colorectal adenomas: A randomized chemoprevention trial

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the subjects

Characteristics	Folate group (n = 80)	Placebo group (n = 97)	P
Age (yr)	60.36 ± 10.34	62.64 ± 9.59	NS
Sex (male, %)	93	92	NS
Race
African American	48%	50%	NS
Caucasian	51%	49%
Other	1%	1%
BMI (kg/m2)	31.62 ± 4.68	29.84 ± 5.71	NS
Dietary intake
Total calories	2069.58 ± 902.9	1823.53 ± 741.12	NS
Protein (g/d)	79.57 ± 30.07	74.31 ± 36.33	NS
Fat (g/d)	88.89 ± 52.04	75.2 ± 38.38	NS
Carbohydrate (g/d)	237.29 ± 129.32	206.48 ± 86.37	NS
Fiber (g/d)	7.28 ± 5.84	8.51 ± 7.93	NS
Folate (&mgr;g/d)	184.45 ± 231.7	162.64 ± 140.23	NS
Calcium (mg/d)	577.14 ± 433.68	569.69 ± 353.75	NS
Aspirin users ( ≤ 325 mg/d)	24%	24%	NS
Number with advanced polyp (%)	59	53	NS
Adenomas per patient	2.34 ± 1.46	2.06 ± 1.38	NS
Total polyps per patient including hyperplastic polyps	2.88 ± 1.73	2.87 ± 2.21	NS
Current smokers	16 (35%)	19 (39%)	NS
Serum folic acid (ng/mL)	14.53 ± 19.51	11.35 ± 6.65	NS
RBC folate (ng/mL)	446.57 ± 164.81	477.82 ± 148.76	NS
Serum vit B12 (pg/mL)	472.97 ± 456.10	393.02 ± 190.93	NS
Serum calcium (mg/mL)	9.31 ± 0.48	9.33 ± 0.37	NS

NS: Not significant. Advance adenoma: ≥ 2 adenomas, large (> 1 cm) or adenoma with villous component or high grade dysplasia. Number of patients in placebo and folate group represents those who completed the baseline colonoscopy and satisfied the criteria for enrollment. Ninety-four subjects completed the 3-year study.