Early Administration of Vitamin C in Patients With Sepsis or Septic Shock in Emergency Departments

Summary

In this clinical trial the effect of early administration of Vitamin C is investigated in patients admitted at the emergency department with sepsis or septic shock. When a patient has sepsis, his/her body is causing damage to its own tissues and organs as result of an infection. This can lead to septic shock. The patient has a low blood pressure, his/her organs stop working and the patient may even die. The aim of this trial is to investigate the efficiency of Vitamin C in sepsis and septic shock. Vitamin C is a vitamin present in various foods and has been approved as dietary supplement by the Belgian authorities. Over the years it has been proven that Vitamin C is very safe. In addition, several studies have shown that Vitamin C can also have a protective effect. It can reduce organ damage and increase survival rates. Although several studies suggest that Vitamin C can help fight sepsis, it is not yet used in practice. This Belgian trial, in which several hospitals participate, hopes to provide a clear answer to the question: "Should Vitamin C be administered to patients admitted in an emergency department with sepsis or septic shock?"

Timeline

Start

2021-06-01

Primary completion

2023-08-31

Completion

2023-11-15

Publications

• Vandervelden S, Cortens B, Fieuws S, Eegdeman W, Malinverni S, Vanhove P, Monsieurs K, Breuls J, Hubloue I, Stifkens F, Creteur J, Wauters L, Desruelles D; C-EASIE investigators. Early administration of vitamin C in patients with sepsis or septic shock in emergency departments: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial: the C-EASIE trial. Crit Care. 2025 Apr 23;29(1):160. doi: 10.1186/s13054-025-05383-x.
• Vandervelden S, Wauters L, Breuls J, Fieuws S, Vanhove P, Hubloue I, Bartiaux M, Creteur J, Stifkens F, Monsieurs K, Desruelles D. Early administration of Vitamin C in patients with sepsis or septic shock in emergency departments: A multicenter, double blinded, randomized controlled trial: The C-EASIE trial protocol. PLoS One. 2021 Nov 5;16(11):e0259699. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259699. eCollection 2021.

Drugs

Indications