Vitamin C and pressure sores

Abstract

This review describes 50 years of studies on the relationship between vitamin C and wound healing. Several early studies in animals reported a clear link between vitamin C depletion and impaired wound healing, shown later to be due to an effect on collagen synthesis. Further clinical studies found that supplementary vitamin C improves wound healing even in apparently vitamin C-replete individuals. Associations between vitamin C and pressure sore development, and healing of pre-existing pressure sores have been described, suggesting a therapeutic role for vitamin C supplementation. However, this would be complementary to current nursing and skin care strategies in patients with, or at risk of developing, pressure sores, such as those elderly patients admitted with femoral neck fractures, or paraplegic subjects.

Key Words:

• Vitamin C
• Pressure sores