Abstract:

Objectives: In our study, we aimed to determine the effect of vitamin C on short-term mortality and length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) followed up in the ICU. Methods: The patients who received and those who did not receive the high-dose intravenous vitamin C protocol were assigned to the treatment and control groups, respectively. The primary study findings in both groups were length of ICU stay and shortterm mortality, while the secondary findings were vasopressor and invasive mechanical ventilation requirements and change in sequential organ failure assessment score from the 0 to the 96th hour. Results: Thirty-eight patients were included in the treatment group and 40 were included in the control group. The mortality rates were 44% and 60% in the treatment and control groups, respectively; however, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The median length of ICU stay in both groups was 10 days (p>0.05). No significant differences in the invasive mechanical ventilation and vasopressor requirements were found between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Consequently, the high-dose vitamin C therapy in the patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia did not reduce the length of ICU stay, mortality, and invasive mechanical ventilation and vasopressor reqirements.

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