Effect of vitamin C supplementation on stroke recovery: A case-control study

Figures & data

Table 1 Baseline variables between the two patient groups based on the presence or absence of vitamin C intake (Mean ± SD)

Grouping variables	Total population (n = 46)	Vitamin C (n = 23)	Control (n = 23)	P-value
Age in yearst	76 ± 11	76 ± 11	77 ± 11	0.84
Sex (M:F)c	26:20	13:10	13:10	1.0
Onset to admission in dayst	11 ± 6	12 ± 7	11 ± 5	0.38
Stroke type:c				0.14
Ischemic
Thrombotic	33 (71%)	19 (82%)	14 (61%)
Embolic	10 (22%)	02 (9%)	08 (35%)
Carotid occlusion with stroke	03 (7%)	02 (9%)	01 (4%)
Risk factorsc
Hypertension	35 (76%)	16 (70%)	19 (83%)	0.29
Diabetes mellitus	17 (37%)	11 (48%)	06 (26%)	0.12
Hyperlipidemia	11 (24%)	06 (26%)	05 (22%)	0.72
Myocardial infarction	06 (13%)	01 (4%)	05 (22%)	0.06
Congestive cardiac failure	10 (22%)	02 (9%)	08 (35%)	0.47
Atrial fibrillation	09 (20%)	02 (9%)	07 (30%)	0.03
Osteoarthritis	08 (17%)	05 (22%)	03 (13%)	0.43
Prior level of independence				1.0
Independent	36 (78%)	18 (78%)	18 (78%)
Independent with assistive device	08 (17%)	04 (17%)	04 (17%)
Need physical assistance	02 (4%)	01 (4%)	01 (4%)
Pressure sorec	16 (35%)	15 (65%)	01 (4%)	0.0001
Stroke severity:
MMSEm	15 ± 11	16 ± 10	14 ± 12	0.70
Visual field:c				0.12
Normal	28 (61%)	12 (52%)	16 (70%)
Left homonymous hemianopsia	04 (9%)	04 (17%)	00 (%)
Right homonymous hemianopsia	07 (15%)	02 (9%)	05 (22%)
Left visual neglect	04 (9%)	03 (13%)	01 (4%)
Right visual neglect	03 (6%)	02 (9%)	01 (4%)
UE MSSt (n = 16, n = 17) (range: 0–66)	29 ± 26	25 ± 27	33 ± 25	0.37
LE MSSt (range: 0–34)	14 ± 10	14 ± 11	14 ± 9	0.95
Limb placementt	6 ± 4	6 ± 4	6 ± 3	0.71
TFIM Score—Admissiont	41 ± 18	41 ± 18	41 ± 18	0.99

Note: ^t Student’s t-test;

^c Chi-square;

^m Mann–Whitney U test.

Abbreviations: LE, lower extremity; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; MSS, Motor Status Score; SD, standard deviation; TFIM, total functional independence measure; UE, upper extremity.

Table 2 Secondary outcome measures between the two patient groups based on presence or absence of vitamin C intake (Mean ± SD)

Grouping variables	Vitamin C (n = 23)	Control (n = 23)	p-value
Change in UDS TFIM Scoret	20 ± 13	26 ± 6	0.20
Change in UDS Cog-FIM Scoret	3 ± 3	4 ± 5	0.41
Change in UDS Motor-FIM Scoret	15 ± 11	20 ± 13	0.21
Length of Stay (LOS in days)t	21 ± 9	23 ± 9	0.59
Healed pressure sorec	05 (33%)	00 (%)	0.48
Discharge disposition:c			0.60
Home	09 (39%)	13 (57%)
Skilled nursing facility	10 (43%)	09 (39%)
Acute hospital	03 (13%)	01 (4%)

Note: ^t Student’s t-test;

^c Chi-square.

Abbreviations: FIM, Functional Independence Measure; LOS, length of stay; UDS, unified data set.