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.
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of Weill Medical College of Cornell Medical College, 785 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605, USA. mrabadi@burke.org
Meheroz H
MH
Rabadi
Bruce S
BS
Kristal
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