Association of Oral or Intravenous Vitamin C Supplementation with Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Mortality is the most clinically serious outcome, and its prevention remains a constant struggle. This study was to assess whether intravenous or oral vitamin C (Vit-C) therapy is related to reduced mortality in adults. Data from Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register databases were acquired from their inception to 26 October 2022. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving intravenous or oral Vit-C against a placebo or no therapy for mortality were selected. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were sepsis, COVID-19, cardiac surgery, noncardiac surgery, cancer, and other mortalities. Forty-four trials with 26540 participants were selected. Although a substantial statistical difference was observed in all-cause mortality between the control and the Vit-C-supplemented groups (p = 0.009, RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.97, I2 = 36%), the result was not validated by sequential trial analysis. In the subgroup analysis, mortality was markedly reduced in Vit-C trials with the sepsis patients (p = 0.005, RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.91, I2 = 47%), and this result was confirmed by trial sequential analysis. In addition, a substantial statistical difference was revealed in COVID-19 patient mortality between the Vit-C monotherapy and the control groups (p = 0.03, RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.98, I2 = 0%). However, the trial sequential analysis suggested the need for more trials to confirm its efficacy. Overall, Vit-C monotherapy does decrease the risk of death by sepsis by 26%. To confirm Vit-C is associated with reduced COVID-19 mortality, additional clinical random control trials are required.