Effect of vitamin C supplementation on stroke recovery: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
Epidemiological studies have associated increased dietary intake of antioxidants (vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene) in preventing and decreasing the extent of ischemic brain injury. The effect of vitamin C supplementation on functional recovery after stroke has not been studied.


METHODS
In this retrospective, case-control study of 23 patients with ischemic stroke taking vitamin C were identified and matched for age, sex, onset to admission, and admission total functional independence measure (TFIM) with 23 patients with ischemic stroke not taking Vitamin C supplementation. Vitamin C 1000 mg daily was prescribed on admission to our unit mainly to patients who were undernourished (defined as significant weight loss and/or 90% or less ideal body weight for age and sex) and those with pressure sores. The outcome measures were: change in the TFIM, FIM-Cognition (FIM-Cog), and FIM-Motor sub-scores, discharge disposition, and length of stay (LOS).


RESULTS
The change in TFIM (20 +/- 13 standard deviation [SD] vs. 26 +/- 6, p = 0.20), FIM-Cog (3 +/- 3 SD vs. 4 +/- 5, p = 0.41), FIM-Motor (15 +/- 11 SD vs. 20 +/- 13, p = 0.21) sub-scores were less in the vitamin C treated group, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. Similarly, no significant differences were found in LOS (21 +/- 9 SD vs. 23 +/- 9, p = 0.59), and discharge disposition (home/institution) (9/10 vs. 13/9, p = 0.60) between the vitamin C and the control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests vitamin C supplementation did not enhance functional recovery in undernourished ischemic stroke patients.
Rabadi
Meheroz H
MH
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Weill Medical College of Cornell Medical College, 785 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605, USA. mrabadi@burke.org
Kristal
Bruce S
BS
D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003289:Convalescence; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*
D001205:Ascorbic Acid