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Meta-Analysis
. 2009 Jan 21;2009(1):CD000993.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000993.pub3.

Vitamin C supplementation for asthma

Balvinder Kaur  1 , Brian H Rowe, Elizabeth Arnold
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Vitamin C supplementation for asthma

Balvinder Kaur et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Update in

  • WITHDRAWN: Vitamin C supplementation for asthma.
    Kaur B, Rowe BH, Stovold E. Kaur B, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Oct 23;(10):CD000993. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000993.pub4. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. PMID: 24155047 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Abstract

Background: Vitamin C is one of the key antioxidant vitamins which is abundant in the extracellular fluid lining the lung and low vitamin C intake has been associated with pulmonary dysfunction.

Objectives: To evaluate the evidence for the efficacy of vitamin C in the treatment of asthma.

Search strategy: The Cochrane Airways Review Group asthma register was searched and bibliographies of studies identified were also checked for further trials. This review has been updated by searches to August 2008.

Selection criteria: Only randomised controlled trials were eligible for inclusion. Studies were considered for inclusion if they dealt with the treatment of asthma using vitamin C supplementation. Two independent reviewers identified potentially relevant studies using pre-defined criteria and selected studies for inclusion.

Data collection and analysis: Data were abstracted independently by two reviewers. Information on patients, methods, interventions, outcomes and results was extracted using standard forms.

Main results: Nine studies met the review entry criteria, randomising a total of 330 participants. Study design varied and the reporting was generally poor. Five trials contributed numerical data to the review. They provided outcome data on lung function, symptom scores, IgE levels and inhaled steroid use. One small study showed a significant difference in % drop in FEV1 post-exercise.

Authors' conclusions: At present, evidence from randomised-controlled trials is insufficient to recommend a specific role for vitamin C in the treatment of asthma. Further methodologically strong and large-scale randomised controlled trials are needed in order to address the question of the effectiveness of vitamin C in children with asthma.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Methodological quality summary: review authors' judgements about each methodological quality item for each included study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Methodological quality graph: review authors' judgements about each methodological quality item presented as percentages across all included studies.
Analysis 1.1
Analysis 1.1
Comparison 1 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (single‐dose studies), Outcome 1 FEV1 (L) ‐ pre‐exercise challenge.
Analysis 1.2
Analysis 1.2
Comparison 1 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (single‐dose studies), Outcome 2 FEV1 (L) ‐ post‐exercise challenge.
Analysis 1.3
Analysis 1.3
Comparison 1 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (single‐dose studies), Outcome 3 FVC (L) ‐ pre‐exercise challenge.
Analysis 1.4
Analysis 1.4
Comparison 1 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (single‐dose studies), Outcome 4 FVC (L) ‐ post‐exercise challenge.
Analysis 1.5
Analysis 1.5
Comparison 1 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (single‐dose studies), Outcome 5 PEFR (L/min) ‐ pre‐exercise challenge.
Analysis 1.6
Analysis 1.6
Comparison 1 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (single‐dose studies), Outcome 6 PEFR (L/min) ‐ post‐exercise challenge.
Analysis 2.1
Analysis 2.1
Comparison 2 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (short term studies), Outcome 1 FEV1 (% drop) post‐exercise.
Analysis 2.2
Analysis 2.2
Comparison 2 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (short term studies), Outcome 2 Symptom scores (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnnaire).
Analysis 3.1
Analysis 3.1
Comparison 3 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (long‐term studies), Outcome 1 IgE (IU/ml serum) ‐ absolute values.
Analysis 3.2
Analysis 3.2
Comparison 3 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (long‐term studies), Outcome 2 FEV1 mL 4 months.
Analysis 3.3
Analysis 3.3
Comparison 3 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (long‐term studies), Outcome 3 Peak Flow (L/min) 4 months.
Analysis 3.4
Analysis 3.4
Comparison 3 Oral vitamin C vs placebo (long‐term studies), Outcome 4 Geometric mean decrease in inhaled corticosteroid use (μg).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

References

References to studies included in this review

Anah 1980 {published data only}
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Cohen 1997 {published data only}
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References to studies excluded from this review

Cuomo 2004 {published data only}
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Forastiere 2000 {published data only}
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Gvozdjakova 2005 {published data only}
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Miric 1991 {published data only}
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Mohsenin 1987 {published data only}
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Murphy 2002 {published data only}
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Omenaas 2003 {published data only}
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Panina 2002 {published data only}
    1. Panina NT, Yakovleva NG, Kotenko TV, Danilov LN. Role of antioxidant and trace element complex in outpatient care of bronchial asthma [Abstract]. European Respiratory Journal 2002;20(Suppl 38):52s.
Romieu 2002 {published data only}
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Additional references

Aderele 1985
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References to other published versions of this review

Ram 2001
    1. Ram FSF, Rowe BH, Kaur B. Vitamin C supplementation for asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2001, Issue 3. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000993] - PubMed
Ram 2004
    1. Ram FSF, Rowe BH, Kaur B. Vitamin C supplementation for asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 3. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000993.pub2] - PubMed

MeSH terms