scholarly journals The Effect of Vitamin C on Pathological Parameters and Survival Duration of Critically Ill Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazanin Majidi ◽  
Faezeh Rabbani ◽  
Somayeh Gholami ◽  
Maryam Gholamalizadeh ◽  
Fatemeh BourBour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Survival Duration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Vitamin C Supplementation

IntroductionVitamin C has been reported to have beneficial effects on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on pathological parameters and survival duration of critically ill patients with COVID-19.MethodsThis clinical trial was conducted on 120 hospitalized critically ill patients infected with COVID-19. The intervention group (n = 31) received one capsule of 500 mg of vitamin C daily for 14 days. The control group (n = 69) received the same nutrition except for vitamin C supplements. Measurement of pathological and biochemical parameters was performed at baseline and after 2 weeks of the intervention.ResultsFollowing 2 weeks of vitamin C supplementation, the level of serum K was significantly lower in the patients compared with the control group (3.93 vs. 4.21 mEq/L, p < 0.01). Vitamin C supplementation resulted in a higher mean survival duration compared with that of the control group (8 vs. 4 days, p < 0.01). There was a linear association between the number of days of vitamin C intake and survival duration (B = 1.66, p < 0.001). The vitamin C supplementation had no effect on blood glucose, mean arterial pressure, arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), kidney function, cell blood count (CBC), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet (Plt), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), albumin, hematocrit (Hct), and other serum electrolytes including sodium (Na), calcium, and phosphorus (P).ConclusionThe present study demonstrated the potential of vitamin C supplementation in enhancing the survival duration of critically ill patients with COVID-19.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://www.irct.ir/trial/55074, identifier IRCT20151226025699N5

scholarly journals The Effect of Support Surfaces on the Incidence of Pressure Injuries in Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley Henrique Bueno de Camargo ◽  
Rita de Cassia Pereira ◽  
Marcos T. Tanita ◽  
Lidiane Heko ◽  
Isadora C Grion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Support Surfaces ◽  
Effect Of Support

Purpose. To analyze whether a viscoelastic mattress support surface can reduce the incidence of stage 2 pressure injuries compared to a standard hospital mattress with pyramidal overlay in critically ill patients. Method. A randomized clinical trial with intention-to-treat analysis was carried out recruiting patients with Braden scale ≤14 on intensive care unit admission from April 2016 to April 2017. Patients were allocated into two groups: intervention group (viscoelastic mattress) and control group (standard mattress with pyramidal overlay). The level of significance adopted was 5%. Results. A total of 62 patients were included in the study. There was a predominance of males (53%) and the mean age was 67.9 (SD 18.8) years. There were no differences in clinical or severity characteristics between the patients in the control group and the intervention group. Pressure injuries occurred in 35 patients, with a median time of 7 days (ITQ 4–10) from admission. The frequency of pressure injuries was higher in the control group (80.6%) compared to the intervention group (32.2%; p<0.001). Conclusions. Viscoelastic support surfaces reduced the incidence of pressure injuries in moderate or higher risk critically ill patients when compared to pyramidal support surfaces.

scholarly journals Effects of a High Dose of Vitamin C along with Thiamine in Critically-ill Patients with Septic Shock: A Preliminary Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Hasanali Karimpour ◽  
Alireza Bahrami ◽  
Shila Amini ◽  
Mansour Rezaei ◽  
Javad Amini-Saman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Sofa Score ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose

Septic shock may occur in critically ill patients and despite antimicrobial treatment, it is associated with a high mortality rate. It is reasonable to look for new treatment modalities that might improve outcome. This is a randomized, double-blind control trial aiming at critically-ill septic patients in a tertiary hospital. Patients with quick sofa score of 2 and with organ dysfunction were included in this study. The intervention group received high doses of vitamin C at a dose of 50 mg/kg/four times daily along with thiamine at a dose of 200 mg/ twice daily) and the control group received normal saline for four days. The dose of vasopressors, procalcitonin and lactate clearance, and mean sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were examined in the two groups. Patients were followed for 28 days. One hundred patients were allocated into two equal groups, and there was no difference between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics. Mean lactate concentration, SOFA score, days of antimicrobial therapy, and mortality at 28 days were similar between them. However, the mean procalcitonin concentration, and mean vasopressor treatment hours were significantly lower in the intervention group (p<0.05). Although Days of ICU stay were lower in the intervention group, It did not reach statistical significance. The results of this study showed that treatment with high dose vitamin C Reduces the vasopressor requirement without any effects on other parameters. Further studies with larger sample size are required for more generalizable results.

scholarly journals Effects of fenugreek seed powder on stress-induced hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients: A randomized clinical trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 2664-2670
Author(s):  
Akram Kooshki ◽  
Zaher Khazaei ◽  
Mojtaba Rad ◽  
Azam Zarghi ◽  
Akram Chanbari Mogaddam
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Apache Ii Score ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Fenugreek Seed

Introduction: Stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) is commonly observed in critically ill patients and associated with poor clinical outcome for patients. Fenugreek seed powder has long been known as an anti-diabetic drug since its pharmaceutical properties were demonstrated. Materials: The study herein was a parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial consisting of 60 adult patients randomly divided into 2 groups (n=30 per group). The study was conducted in Sabzevar, Iran in April 2015. The intervention group received 3 g of fenugreek seed powder by gavage, twice a day, in addition to routine care. The control group received only routine care. In the beginning, a daily evaluation of fasting and postprandial blood sugar was conducted for 10 days. Secondary components (prevalence of pneumonia; length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of hospital stay, ventilator days, APACHE II score, and mortality rate) were measured until the time of hospital discharge or death. Data were analyzed via SPSS v.20 using Student's t-test (paired and unpaired), chi-square test, repeated measure ANOVA, and Wilcoxon test. Results: In during 10 days of treatment, there was a significant fall in mean glucose levels in 2 groups. However, this improve was more significant in Intervention group in compared to control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study suggests that daily diet with fenugreek seeds can be used as an add-on therapy with other medications in the management of SIH in critically ill patients.

scholarly journals Impact of ascorbic acid in reducing the incidence of vancomycin associated nephrotoxicity in critically ill patients: A preliminary randomized controlled trial

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 929
Author(s):  
Nouran Hesham El-Sherazy ◽  
Naglaa Samir Bazan ◽  
Sara Mahmoud Shaheen ◽  
Nagwa A. Sabri
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
And Control

Background Antioxidants show nephroprotective effect against vancomycin associated nephrotoxicity (VAN) in animals. This study aimed to assess the ascorbic acid nephro-protective role against VAN clinically. Methods Forty-one critically ill patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention group (vancomycin IV plus ascorbic acid, n=21) or control group (vancomycin IV only, n=20). Primary outcomes were the incidence of VAN and the absolute change in creatinine parameters, while mortality rate was the secondary outcome. Nephrotoxicity was defined as an increase in serum creatinine (S.cr) by at least 0.5 mg/dL or 50% of baseline for at least two successive measurements. This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03921099), April 2019. Results Mean absolute S.cr increase was significant when compared between both groups, P-value = 0.036, where S.cr increased by 0.05(0.12) and 0.34(0.55) mg/dL in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Mean absolute Cr.cl decline was significant when compared between both groups, P-value = 0.04, where Cr.cl was decreased by 5.9(17.8) and 22.3(30.4) ml/min in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Incidence of VAN was 1/21(4.7%) versus 5/20(25%) in the intervention and control groups, respectively (RR: 0.19; CI: 0.024–1.49; P-value = 0.093). Mortality was higher in the control group; however, it was not statistically significant, P-value = 0.141. Conclusion Co-administration of ascorbic acid with vancomycin preserved renal function and reduced the absolute risk of VAN by 20.3%, however, the reduction in VAN incidence didn’t reach statistical significance level. Further large multicenter prospective trials are recommended.

scholarly journals Physical methods for the treatment of fever in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 823-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia de Oliveira Salgado ◽  
Ludmila Christiane Rosa da Silva ◽  
Priscila Marinho Aleixo Silva ◽  
Tânia Couto Machado Chianca
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Tympanic Temperature ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical Methods ◽  
Group I ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ice Pack

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of physical methods of reducing body temperature (ice pack and warm compression) in critically ill patients with fever. METHOD A randomized clinical trial involving 102 adult patients with tympanic temperature ≥ 38.3°C of an infectious focus, and randomized into three groups: Intervention I - ice pack associated with antipyretic; Intervention II - warm compress associated with antipyretic; and Control - antipyretic. Tympanic temperature was measured at 15 minute intervals for 3 hours. The effect of the interventions was evaluated through the Mann-Whitney test and Survival Analysis. "Effect size" calculation was carried out. RESULTS Patients in the intervention groups I and II presented greater reduction in body temperature. The group of patients receiving intervention I presented tympanic temperature below 38.3°C at 45 minutes of monitoring, while the value for control group was lower than 38.3°C starting at 60 minutes, and those who received intervention II had values lower than 38.3°C at 75 minutes of monitoring. CONCLUSION No statistically significant difference was found between the interventions, but with the intervention group I patients showed greater reduction in tympanic temperature compared to the other groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-2k3kbq

scholarly journals Effect of Foot Reflexology Practice on Acute Pain and Anxiety of Critically ill Patients after Cardiothoracic Surgery

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (08) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayza Ahmed Abdou ◽  
Amal Ismael Abd El-Hafez
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Acute Pain ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cardiothoracic Surgery ◽  
Anxiety Level ◽  
Anxiety Score ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group

Background: One of complementary therapy is foot reflexology practice which is effortlessly, un-costly and with little risks or complications and can be considered as part of nursing procedures for acute pain and anxiety after cardiothoracic surgery. Objective: evaluate the effect of foot reflexology practice on acute pain and anxiety of critically ill patients after cardiothoracic surgery. Research hypothesis: The pain and anxiety score among the interventional group who receiving the foot reflexology practice is lower than that of the control group. Research design: a quasi-experimental research design was used. Setting: This study was conducted in Cardiothoracic and Post-Operative Intensive Care Units at Assuit University Hospital. Subjects: sixty patients were enrolled in this study and assigned equally to intervention and control groups during the period of data collection from February 2015 to February 2016. Results: There were significant differences between the mean of pain and anxiety score of both groups at immediately, and 45 minutes indicating lower mean of pain and anxiety level among intervention group who received foot reflexology practice than control group. Conclusion: The intervention group who received foot reflexology practice had lower pain and anxiety level than the control group who didn’t received foot reflexology practice after cardiothoracic surgery.

scholarly journals The evolution of mean arterial pressure in critically ill patients on vasopressors before and during a trial comparing a specific mean arterial pressure target to usual care

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Hélène Masse ◽  
Neill K. J. Adhikari ◽  
Xavier Théroux ◽  
Marie-Claude Battista ◽  
Frédérick D’Aragon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mean Arterial Pressure ◽  
Arterial Pressure ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chronic Hypertension ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Change In Mean

Abstract Background In randomized clinical controlled trials, the choice of usual care as the comparator may be associated with better clinician uptake of the study protocol and lead to more generalizable results. However, if care processes evolve to resemble the intervention during the course of a trial, differences between the intervention group and usual care control group may narrow. We evaluated the effect on mean arterial pressure of an unblinded trial comparing a lower mean arterial pressure target to reduce vasopressor exposure, vs. a clinician-selected mean arterial pressure target, in critically ill patients at least 65 years old. Methods For this multicenter observational study using data collected both prospectively and retrospectively, patients were recruited from five of the seven trial sites. We compared the mean arterial pressure of patients receiving vasopressors, who met or would have met trial eligibility criteria, from two periods: [1] at least 1 month before the trial started, and [2] during the trial period and randomized to usual care, or not enrolled in the trial. Results We included 200 patients treated before and 229 after trial initiation. There were no differences in age (mean 74.5 vs. 75.2 years; p = 0.28), baseline Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (median 26 vs. 26; p = 0.47) or history of chronic hypertension (n = 126 [63.0%] vs. n = 153 [66.8%]; p = 0.41). Mean of the mean arterial pressure was similar between the two periods (72.5 vs. 72.4 mmHg; p = 0.76). Conclusions The initiation of a trial of a prescribed lower mean arterial pressure target, compared to a usual clinician-selected target, was not associated with a change in mean arterial pressure, reflecting stability in the net effect of usual clinician practices over time. Comparing prior and concurrent control groups may alleviate concerns regarding drift in usual practices over the course of a trial or permit quantification of any change.

scholarly journals Voices 2: Improving Prosodic Recognition in Schizophrenia With an Online Rehabilitation Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Lado-Codesido ◽  
Rosa María Rey Varela ◽  
Marina Larios Quiñones ◽  
Luis Martínez Agulleiro ◽  
Julieta Ossa Basanes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Clinical State ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
On Line

Introduction: Emotion recognition of voices may play an important role in interpersonal communication and patients with schizophrenia present alterations in this regard. Several on-line rehabilitation tools have been developed for treatment in this area. Voices is an on-line prosodic recognition program consisting of identifying different emotional tones in neutral phrases, in different sessions of gradually increasing difficulty. This training tool has previously reported benefits, and a new version has been created called Voices 2. The main aim of this study is to test the capacity of the Voices 2 program to improve emotion recognition through prosody for adults with schizophrenia. Secondly, it seeks to observe durability effects 1 month after intervention.Method: A randomized, single-blind, multicenter clinical trial was conducted with 44 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The intervention group (also called Voices) was treated with Voices 2, whereas the control group was treated with auditory training that was not related to emotions. Sociodemographic and clinical data, clinical state (PANSS), Intelligence Quotient and prosodic recognition (RMV-SV) were measured at baseline. After intervention, RMV-SV and PANSS were assessed. One month later, the RMV-SV measure was repeated.Results: The control group (n = 19) and the Voices group (n = 22) did not differ on χ2, t or U tests in sociodemographic, clinical and psychometric variables at baseline or post-intervention (all p-values &gt; 0.05). In the Voices group, statistically significant differences were observed in the RMV-SV scale applied post-intervention vs. that applied pre-intervention (Z = 2.47, p = 0.013). Similar results were observed in the 1-month follow-up RMV-SV vs. the pre-intervention RMV-SV (Z = 1.97, p = 0.049). PANSS scale was also assessed with no significant differences between pre vs. post measures in both groups. Lastly, Voices 2 was rated relatively higher, based on its ease of understanding, entertainment value, usefulness and the appropriateness of use of its emotional glossary.Discussion: Improvements were observed in prosodic recognition following intervention with Voices 2 in the Voices group. Although these results are similar to other clinical trial rehabilitation programs, specific research on the matter remains scarce. Certain aspects, such as the durability of effects or adherence should be thoroughly studied and clarified.Clinical Trial Registration: [https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/G95C4].

scholarly journals Effect of Vitamin C on mortality of critically ill patients with severe pneumonia in intensive care unit: a preliminary study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ata Mahmoodpoor ◽  
Kamran Shadvar ◽  
Sarvin Sanaie ◽  
Mir Reza Hadipoor ◽  
Mohammad Ata Pourmoghaddam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Vasopressor Use

Abstract Background Critically ill patients frequently suffer from vitamin C deficiency. Previous studies showed that high doses of vitamin C administration had conflicting results on clinical outcomes in patients with severe sepsis, burns, and trauma. Because of the high incidence and morbidity/mortality with severe pneumonia, we aimed to investigate the effect of administration of high dose vitamin C in critically ill patients with severe pneumonia. Methods Eighty critically ill patients with pneumonia were enrolled in this randomized double-blinded clinical trial. Patients with a CURB-65 score > 3, one major criterion, or ≥ 3 minor criteria were considered as severe pneumonia. Patients were randomly assigned to intervention or placebo groups receiving standard treatment plus 60 mg/kg/day vitamin C as a continuous infusion or normal saline in the same volume correspondingly for 96 h. Serum levels of vitamin C were noted at baseline and 48 h after vitamin C administration. Duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, PaO2/FiO2, and mortality rate were noted for all patients till the 28th day. Any complications related to the vitamin C administration were recorded. Results Duration of mechanical ventilation and vasopressor use were significantly lower in the intervention group (p: < 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Baseline levels of vitamin C in both groups did not have a significant difference but its levels increased in the intervention group and decreased in the control group during the study period. Mortality rate insignificantly decreased in the intervention group (p = 0.17). Three patients showed hypotension and tachycardia during the administration of vitamin C which was self-limited with decreasing the dose of vitamin C. Our results showed that the intravenous administration of a relatively high dose of vitamin C to critically ill patients with severe pneumonia was safe and could decrease the inflammation, duration of mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor use without any significant effect on mortality. Trial registration: IRCT registration number: IRCT20190312043030N1, Registration date: 2019-08-26, Seied Hadi Saghaleini.

scholarly journals Enhancing the Communication of Suddenly Speechless Critical Care Patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. e40-e47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen S. Rodriguez ◽  
Meredeth Rowe ◽  
Loris Thomas ◽  
Jonathan Shuster ◽  
Brent Koeppel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Communication Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

Background Sudden speechlessness is common in critically ill patients who are intubated or have had surgery for head and neck cancer. Sudden inability to speak poses challenges for hospitalized patients because strategies to facilitate communication are often limited and unreliable. Objective To determine the impact of a technology-based communication intervention on patients’ perception of communication difficulty, satisfaction with communication methods, and frustration with communication. Methods A quasi-experimental, 4-cohort (control and intervention) repeated-measures design was used. Data were collected daily for up to 10 days. Patients in adult critical care units were followed up as they were transferred to other units within the institutions selected for the study. The impact of a technology-based communication system (intervention) was compared with usual care (control). Patients’ communication outcomes pertinent to communication with nursing staff that were evaluated included perception of communication ease, satisfaction with methods used for communication, and frustration with communication. Results Compared with participants in the control group, participants in the intervention group reported lower mean frustration levels (−2.68; SE, 0.17; 95% CI, −3.02 to −2.34; P &lt; .001) and higher mean satisfaction levels (0.59; SE, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.91; P &lt; .001) with use of the communication intervention. Participants in the intervention group reported a consistent increase in perception of communication ease during the hospital stay. Conclusions The results facilitated evaluation of a bedside technology-based communication intervention tailored to the needs of suddenly speechless critically ill patients.

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