Impact of Early Antioxidant Supplements on Critically Ill Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Mette M. Berger, Ludivine Soguel, Alan Shenkin, Jean-Pierre Revelly, Christophe Pinget, Malcolm Baines, René L. Chioléro
Primary Institution: University Hospital (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
Hypothesis
Does early administration of antioxidant micronutrients improve clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with oxidative stress?
Conclusion
The antioxidant intervention did not reduce early organ dysfunction but significantly reduced the inflammatory response in cardiac surgery and trauma patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Plasma concentrations of selenium, zinc, and glutathione peroxidase increased significantly in the AOX group.
- C-reactive protein decreased faster in the AOX group.
- Length of hospital stay was shorter in surviving AOX trauma patients.
Takeaway
Giving special vitamins and minerals to very sick patients didn't help their organs work better, but it did help reduce inflammation.
Methodology
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a single center with 200 patients receiving either antioxidant supplements or placebo for 5 days.
Potential Biases
Heterogeneity among trauma patients regarding severity of brain injury may have influenced outcomes.
Limitations
The study was underpowered for subgroup analyses and did not collect SOFA scores after ICU discharge.
Participant Demographics
Patients included those with organ failure after cardiac surgery, major trauma, or subarachnoid hemorrhage, with a mean age of 59 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = 0.019 for brain injury severity; P = 0.039 for C-reactive protein decrease.
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.53 to 0.80 for overall AOX supplements reducing mortality.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website