The role of Coenzyme Q10 supplements in improving quality of life in elderly individuals

3 January 2025
Dr Fahd Al Qureshah
دور مكملات الانزيم كيو10

The role of Coenzyme Q10 supplements in improving quality of life in elderly individuals

The paper titled "Improved Health-Related Quality of Life, and More Days Out of Hospital with Supplementation with Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 Combined" investigates the impact of selenium and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on health-related quality of life (Hr-QoL) and hospital admissions in community-dwelling elderly individuals. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial provides significant insights into how nutritional supplementation can influence cardiac function, oxidative stress, and overall quality of life in older populations.


Background and Rationale

Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is a vital component for mitochondrial energy production, cellular functions, and antioxidant defense, particularly in cardiac muscle cells. Low levels of CoQ10 have been associated with conditions such as heart failure, fibromyalgia, depression, and Parkinson’s disease. Similarly, selenium is an essential trace element involved in antioxidant defense, immune function, and thyroid hormone metabolism. Selenium-dependent enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase, are crucial in preventing cardiovascular disease and inflammatory conditions.

Research suggests that selenium enhances the antioxidant activity of CoQ10, providing a synergistic effect that may protect against oxidative stress, a significant factor in cardiovascular disease progression. This study aimed to evaluate whether long-term supplementation with both selenium and CoQ10 could improve the health outcomes and reduce hospitalizations among elderly individuals.


Study Design and Methodology

  • Design: Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.
  • Participants: 443 community-dwelling elderly individuals (mean age: 77 years; 51% male).
  • Intervention:
  • Active Group (n=221): 200 mg/day of CoQ10 and 200 µg/day of selenium yeast.
  • Placebo Group (n=222): Received identical placebo.
  • Duration: 48 months with re-evaluations every six months.
  • Primary Outcomes:
  • Number of days out of hospital.
  • Changes in health-related quality of life (Hr-QoL).
  • Assessments:
  • Hospitalizations: Data obtained from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare.
  • Hr-QoL Measurements:
  • Short Form-36 (SF-36) – Measures physical and mental health across eight domains.
  • Cardiac Health Profile (CHP) – Assesses QoL specifically in heart disease patients.
  • Overall Quality of Life (QoL): A visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 100.

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Key Results

1. Study Population and Dropouts

  • Dropout Rate: 215 participants discontinued (86 died; 129 withdrew).
  • Dropout Characteristics:
  • Higher prevalence of diabetes (22% vs. 13%, p=0.07).
  • Higher rates of ischemic heart disease (28% vs. 17%, p=0.005).
  • Older age among dropouts (78±3.9 years vs. 76±3.1 years, p<0.001).
  • Lower baseline Hr-QoL in dropouts (p<0.05).


2. Days Out of Hospital

  • Total Population:
  • Placebo: 1403 days out of hospital.
  • Active Group: 1454 days out of hospital.
  • p=0.46 (not statistically significant).
  • Matched Analysis: a sub-analysis of participants matched for age, gender and baseline cardiac wall tension (n=110, 55 per group):
  • Placebo: 1533 days out of hospital.
  • Active Group: 1779 days out of hospital.
  • Difference: 246 days (p=0.03) – favoring the active group.


3. Health-Related Quality of Life (Hr-QoL)

  • Matched Analysis:
  • Significant improvements in:
  • Physical Role Performance (p=0.001).
  • Vitality (p=0.001).
  • Physical Component Score (p=0.001).
  • Overall QoL (p=0.001).
  • Somatic (p=0.001), Conative (p=0.001), and Global function (p=0.001) dimensions in CHP.
  • Overall Analysis:
  • No significant Hr-QoL differences in total population analysis (p>0.05).
  • However, matched participants receiving selenium and CoQ10 had significantly slower declines in key Hr-QoL domains.


Summary:

The study reveals that while overall supplementation did not yield significant differences in unadjusted analyses, matched participants experienced fewer hospitalizations and maintained better Hr-QoL. These results suggest that selenium and CoQ10 supplementation can benefit elderly individuals with higher baseline cardiac stress or lower Hr-QoL.


Key points:

  • Supplementation Effectiveness: Improvements were more pronounced in individuals with moderate cardiac stress at baseline (measured by NT-proBNP).
  • Long-Term Benefits: Supplementation slowed the deterioration of physical health, vitality, and overall quality of life, indicating the potential to delay frailty and reduce hospital admissions.
  • Health Economics: Reduced hospital stays suggest possible healthcare cost savings and improved patient independence.


Conclusion

The study demonstrates that long-term supplementation with selenium and CoQ10 can improve Hr-QoL and reduce hospitalizations in elderly individuals, particularly those with pre-existing cardiac stress. While the overall population analysis did not show significant effects, the matched analysis highlights the potential benefits of targeted supplementation in vulnerable subgroups.

Future research with larger, more diverse cohorts is necessary to confirm these findings and refine recommendations for nutritional interventions in aging populations.


For full details, refer to the original article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26482687/