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Meta-Analysis
. 2017 Nov 7;9(11):1224.
doi: 10.3390/nu9111224.

Efficacy and Effectiveness of Carnitine Supplementation for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Wolfgang Marx  1   2 , Laisa Teleni  3 , Rachelle S Opie  4 , Jaimon Kelly  5 , Skye Marshall  6 , Catherine Itsiopoulos  7 , Elizabeth Isenring  8
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Efficacy and Effectiveness of Carnitine Supplementation for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Wolfgang Marx et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background: Carnitine deficiency has been implicated as a potential pathway for cancer-related fatigue that could be treated with carnitine supplementation. The aim of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the literature regarding the use of supplemental carnitine as a treatment for cancer-related fatigue.

Methods: Using the PRISMA guidelines, an electronic search of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and reference lists was conducted. Data were extracted and independently assessed for quality using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics evidence analysis by two reviewers. In studies with positive quality ratings, a meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model on Carnitine and cancer-related fatigue.

Results: Twelve studies were included for review with eight reporting improvement in measures of fatigue, while four reported no benefit. However, many studies were non-randomized, open-label and/or used inappropriate dose or comparators. Meta-analysis was performed in three studies with sufficient data. Carnitine did not significantly reduce cancer-related fatigue with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.06 points ((95% CI -0.09, 0.21); p = 0.45).

Conclusion: Results from studies with lower risk of bias do not support the use of carnitine supplementation for cancer-related fatigue.

Keywords: cancer; carnitine; dietary supplement; fatigue; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Systematic review flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot of the effect of Carnitine dietary supplement on Cancer-related fatigue. CI = confidence interval; IV = inverse variance.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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