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The Effects of Vitamin C on Wound Healing—Systematic Review

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Abstract

Vitamin C may have positive effects on wound healing and improve quality of life and the recovery process. A systematic review was done to study the effects of vitamin C on the healing of wounds and thereby hasten rehabilitation. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials on the effects of vitamin C were searched for using PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library. Data was collected, analyzed, and assessed for risks of bias using Cochrane review protocols and tools. A total of 24 trials were procured, but after excluding 21 that did not meet the criteria, only three trials could be analyzed. Overall, addition of vitamin C was noted to have 3.94 times likelihood of acquiring quicker recovery process as compared to placebo (OR 3.99, 95% CI 2.06 to 7.73), but there was no difference in pain (p > 0.05). Overall quality of evidence was good, with low risk of bias. Evidence shows that vitamin C promotes wound healing by hastening recovery and attaining high leucocyte ascorbic acid levels. It is recommended to use vitamin C for wound healing while waiting for more RCTs to strengthen this evidence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, International Medical School, Management and Science University, University Drive, Off Persiaran Olahraga, Selangor, 40100, Shah Alam, Malaysia

    Thanigasalam Thevi

  2. Department of Community Medicine, Melaka Manipal University College, Jalan Batu Hampa, 75150, Melaka, Malaysia

    Adinegara Lutfi Abas

  3. Office of Pro Vice-Chancellor, Melaka Manipal University College, Jalan Batu Hampa, Melaka, 75150, Malaysia

    Adinegara Lutfi Abas

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, Rajan Eye Center, 5 Vidyodaya East II Street, T. Nagar, Chennai, 600 017, India

    Mohan Rajan

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  1. Thanigasalam Thevi
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  2. Adinegara Lutfi Abas
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  3. Mohan Rajan
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Correspondence to Thanigasalam Thevi.

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Thevi, T., Abas, A.L. & Rajan, M. The Effects of Vitamin C on Wound Healing—Systematic Review. Indian J Surg 86, 23–29 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-023-03750-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-023-03750-y

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