The Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Outcomes of Vitamin C Deficiency in Adult Hospitalised Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Assessment of vitamin C status rarely occurs in hospital patients within high-income countries on the assumption that vitamin C deficiency (VCD) is rare, and evidence on prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of VCD is limited. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of VCD, characteristics of patients with VCD, and identify risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with VCD status in adult hospitalised patients. Methods: This retrospective observational study included adult inpatients from five metropolitan hospitals within a single public health service in Australia which provides tertiary, acute, and sub-acute care, over a 3.5-year period. Non-fasting vitamin C levels were examined for the prevalence of VCD, defined as <11.4 µmol/L.

SUBMITTER: Golder J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11990434 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature