Effect of Vitamin C and Vitamin B1 Combination on Mortality of Sepsis and Septic Shock Patients in Intensive Care Unit

Vitamin C is known as antioxidant and an important co-factor for endogenous adrenaline synthesis while vitamin B1 is known for its effect on lactate clearance which helps sepsis and septic shock condition. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of vitamin C and B1 combination on 28-day mortality in sepsis and septic shock patients. Methods: This is an open-label randomized controlled trial at tertiary hospital between July until September 2019. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 18-60 years diagnosed with sepsis and/or septic shock. Exclusion criteria were “do not resuscitate” status and on immunosuppressive medications. Thirty-one patients were divided into intervention group (n=15) and control group (n=16). Intervention group received 1.5 g vitamin C every 6 hours and 200 mg vitamin B1 every 12 hours through 3 days. Control group received 200 mg vitamin B1 every 12 hours for 3 days. The 28-day mortality was documented after the administration. This study used chi-square continuity correction as statistical analysis. Results: The relative risk for survival rate in 28-day mortality was 1.30 times higher for intervention group compared to control group (CI 95% 0.76 – 2.21 p=0.53). The mortality risk in 28 days was also lower in intervention group compared to control group (RR=0.61 CI95% 0.22 – 1.66 p=0.53). Conclusion: combination of vitamin C and B1 was able to lower the risk of 28-day mortality although the result wasnot statistically significant.