BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome is a well-known complication after distal radius fracture with incidence ranging from 10.5 to 37 %. Some studies recommend the use of vitamin C to prevent complex regional pain syndrome. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin C in prevention of CRPS. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases for randomized controlled trial (RCT) and comparative studies reporting use of vitamin C to prevent distal radius fracture. Dichotomous variable was presented as risk ratio with 95 % confidence intervals. RESULTS: We obtained 220 articles from the database search. After the exclusion of duplicates, unrelated articles, letter to editor and editorials, we found four articles relevant to our topic. Meta-analysis of the CRPS incidence revealed that the incidence of CRPS was significantly lower in the vitamin C group [RD 0.41 (0.19-0.92), P = 0.03]. There was moderate to high heterogeneity in the studies included I (2) = 63 %). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis showed a significant reduction in prevalence of CRPS with the use of vitamin C. Further high-quality RCTs with standard dosages and common diagnostic criteria are needed to be able to deliver solid conclusions.
BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome is a well-known complication after distal radius fracture with incidence ranging from 10.5 to 37 %. Some studies recommend the use of vitamin C to prevent complex regional pain syndrome. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin C in prevention of CRPS. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases for randomized controlled trial (RCT) and comparative studies reporting use of vitamin C to prevent distal radius fracture. Dichotomous variable was presented as risk ratio with 95 % confidence intervals. RESULTS: We obtained 220 articles from the database search. After the exclusion of duplicates, unrelated articles, letter to editor and editorials, we found four articles relevant to our topic. Meta-analysis of the CRPS incidence revealed that the incidence of CRPS was significantly lower in the vitamin C group [RD 0.41 (0.19-0.92), P = 0.03]. There was moderate to high heterogeneity in the studies included I (2) = 63 %). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis showed a significant reduction in prevalence of CRPS with the use of vitamin C. Further high-quality RCTs with standard dosages and common diagnostic criteria are needed to be able to deliver solid conclusions.
Authors: David M Lichtman; Randipsingh R Bindra; Martin I Boyer; Matthew D Putnam; David Ring; David J Slutsky; John S Taras; William C Watters; Michael J Goldberg; Michael Keith; Charles M Turkelson; Janet L Wies; Robert H Haralson; Kevin M Boyer; Kristin Hitchcock; Laura Raymond Journal: J Am Acad Orthop Surg Date: 2010-03 Impact factor: 3.020
Authors: L Harhaus; F Neubrech; C Hirche; T Schilling; H Kohler; A Mayr; A Riesmeier; B Bickert; U Kneser Journal: Unfallchirurg Date: 2016-09 Impact factor: 1.000
Authors: Andreas F Mavrogenis; Panayiotis D Megaloikonomos; Cyril Mauffrey; Marius M Scarlat; Patrick Simon; Kazuhiro Hasegawa; Samo K Fokter; Pierre Kehr Journal: Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol Date: 2018-02-14