Increased risk of mortality
The primary endpoint of the study occurred in 191 of 429 patients (44.5%) in the verum group compared to 167 of 434 patients (38.5%) in the placebo group.
Vitamin C therapy was associated with a 21% increased risk of mortality or persistent organ damage (risk ratio [RR] = 1.21; 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.40; p=0.01). Looking at the individual components of the composite endpoint, the risk of mortality in the verum group was 35.4% versus 31.6% in the placebo group (RR = 1.17), and the risk of suffering a persistent organ disorder was 35.4% 9.1% in the verum group versus 6.9% in the placebo group (RR = 1.30).
There were no notable differences between the two groups for secondary endpoints, such as certain biomarkers for inflammation or endothelial damage, survival at six months, quality of life and acute kidney injury. The only abnormality was a tendency towards an increase in hypoglycaemia (6.1% versus 5.1%; RR = 1.25) and an anaphylactic reaction in the verum group.