Role of vitamin C or vitamin E on platelet levels in dengue fever: A randomized controlled trial
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Abstract
Background: Adjunctive antioxidant supplementation (vitamin C or E) has been proposed to improve hematologic recovery and hemoconcentration in dengue.
Objectives: To compare platelet recovery and packed cell volume (PCV) changes over 7 days among patients randomized to vitamin C, vitamin E, or control; and to explore differences in ICU admission.
Materials and methods: Randomized controlled trial with three arms (vitamin C (N=100, 500 mg three times daily (total 1.5 gm/day) and, vitamin E (N=100, 400 mg once daily) eight days with standard supportive care, control (N=100, received only standard supportive care), total participants 300). Primary endpoints were between-group differences in change for platelet count (PC) and PCV from day-1 to day-7, tested via Group×Time interaction (two time points) with baseline adjustment. ICU admission was compared across arms. Two-sided p<0.05 was statistically significant.
Results: By day-7, the mean PC were vitamin C 115,740±68,990/μL, vitamin E 119,760±70,214/μL, control 131,170±75,081/μL. PCV at day-7 was vitamin C 38.8±5.5%, vitamin E 40.8±7.7%, control 38.8±6.5%. The Group×Time interaction was not significant for PC (p=0.563) or PCV (p=0.973), indicating no between-group differences in change over 7 days. ICU admissions and the overall comparison were not significant (p=0.105).
Conclusion: In this three-arm randomized controlled trial, all groups demonstrated expectednhematologic recovery by day-7. However, high-dose vitamin C or E did not show superior platelet recovery or hemoconcentration compared with standard care. ICU admission rates were also not significantly different across arms.
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Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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