The role of ascorbic acid in reducing mortality in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Original Investigations PURPOSE: The use of ascorbic acid or vitamin C in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia is a topic of significant investigation. Some argue it decreases the rate of mortality in severe cases of COVID-19 pneumonia, while others argue that it provides no additional benefits to a patient's outcome. This literature review looks at patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, and investigates the role of high dose vitamin C (HDVC) in reducing mortality, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and length of hospital stay. METHODS: A thorough search of the literature was conducted to perform a meta-analysis of the available studies that compared the efficacy of HDVC to standard care or placebo in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. This search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for data on the subject matter of study from inception to April 20, 2021. We considered randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and case series. From each study, we collected the number of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who underwent treatment with either HDVC or standard care/placebo. The primary outcome was the rate of mortality. Secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay and length of hospital stay. The random-effects model was used to calculate the risk ratios (RR), mean differences (MD), and confidence intervals (CIs). A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Heterogeneity was assessed using…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 290 participants or records.
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