The Effects of Ascorbic Acid Over Sepsis: Meta-analysis With Trial Sequential Analysis
Abstract Background: This meta-analysis is performed to evaluate the effects of AA on the mortality over sepsis patients, focusing on the courses and initiation of treatment as well as AA doses.Methods: Randomized controlled trials concerning sepsis patients treated with intravenous AA were included when searching the database. The meta-analysis was performed using the random (M-H heterogeneity) model to produce summary odds ratio with 95% CI. Trial sequential analysis was applied to evaluated the effect of random errors.Results: The included 12 trials enrolled a total of 1232 patients. Intravenously administration of AA could not lower 28-day mortality over sepsis patients (OR = 0.81; 95% CI (0.54-1.23); p = 0.326). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that when administrating AA alone, in a dose ≥ 10 g/d, or within 6 h of admission, the result may turn to positive (OR = 0.36; 95% CI (0.15-0.86); p = 0.020, OR = 0.50; 95% CI (0.27-0.92); p = 0.025, OR = 0.49; 95% CI (0.27-0.89); p = 0.019, relatively). The quality of evidence is moderate.Conclusion: IV AA may have no effects to lower mortality over sepsis patients. However, when administrating AA alone, in a dose ≥ 10 g/d, or within 6 h of admission, the result may turn to positive. Due to a moderate GRADE certainty of evidence, further studies are required to fully elaborate the effectiveness of AA during the management of the sepsis patients.PROSPERO registration number: CRD 42020170825. 24 Feb, 2020 retrospectively registered.