Devibala, K G (2010) Evaluation of the role of Vitamin C in chronic bronchial asthma. Masters thesis, Stanley Medical College, Chennai.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Asthma is one of the major public health problems affecting 5% of the world population. It is a universal disease affecting people of all ages resulting in variable restriction to the physical, emotional and social aspects of an individual’s life. According to GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma), asthma is defined as “a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by increased responsiveness of the tracheobronchial tree to a variety of stimuli”. The major symptoms of asthma are paroxysms of dyspnoea, wheeze and cough, which may be mild and almost undetectable to severe and unremitting. Asthma is a highly complex inflammatory disorder with many potential therapeutic approaches. Treatment with a combination of drugs which contain a corticosteroid and a long acting β2 adrenoreceptor agonist is the most effective therapy. Despite major advances in therapy, patient’s symptoms are not adequately controlled. Recent evidence on the role of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators has fostered considerable interest in new approaches for the treatment of bronchial asthma. Epidemiological and observational studies suggest that increased oxidative stress or defective antioxidant status may be associated with an increased risk of asthma or faster disease progression. The generation of oxygen free radicals by activated airway inflammatory cells produce many of the pathophysiological changes associated with asthma. This suggests that antioxidants have a significant role in decreasing the incidence and severity of asthma. OBJECTIVES: To study the beneficial effects of Vitamin C as an add on therapy to the standard drug therapy in patients with chronic bronchial asthma using 1. Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score for asthma control 2. Lung Function Tests: PEFR, FEV1. 3. Serum Malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress. 4. Serum C - reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. METHODOLOGY: STUDY DESIGN: Phase III prospective, open, two arm, parallel group, out patient randomized, active controlled study. STUDY CENTRE: Asthma clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Chennai. STUDY PERIOD: January 2008 to December 2008. STUDY DURATION: Active drug therapy-2 months and Follow up-1 month. 3 months for each patient. STUDY POPULATION: Patients attending the Outpatient Asthma clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Chennai. SAMPLE SIZE: 80 patients. 40 patients in each group. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Age group 18 – 60 years. 2. Both sexes. 3. Patients with bronchial asthma. 4. Duration of disease >5 years. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Age group < 18 years and > 60 years. 2. Patients with COPD, TB, Cardiac disease. 3. Smokers. 4. Pregnant and lactating women. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study proves the role of Vitamin C in reducing the oxidant injury associated with chronic airway inflammation in asthma. This study also shows that Vitamin C as an add on therapy to the existing standard therapy improves the clinical response and decreases the disease activity to a greater extent than with routine standard drug therapy alone. In view of its low cost, safety and efficacy, the routine use of Vitamin C in chronic bronchial asthma warrants consideration. Further, the combination of Vitamin C with other known antioxidants like Vitamin A, Vitamin E, β carotene in achieving better asthma control can also be evaluated.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Vitamin C, chronic bronchial asthma. |
| Subjects: | MEDICAL > Pharmacology |
| Depositing User: | Subramani R |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Jul 2020 17:57 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Aug 2020 06:10 |
| URI: | http://repository-tnmgrmu.ac.in/id/eprint/12686 |
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