The vitamin C deficiency disease scurvy is characterized by musculoskeletal pain and recent epidemiological evidence has indicated an association between suboptimal vitamin C status and spinal pain. Furthermore, accumulating evidence indicates that vitamin C administration can exhibit analgesic properties in some clinical conditions. Hypovitaminosis C and vitamin C deficiency are prevalent in various patient groups, such as surgical/trauma, infectious diseases, and cancer patients. Several recent clinical studies have shown that vitamin C administration to patients with chronic regional pain syndrome decreases their symptoms.
Blood vitamin C concentration falls after uncomplicated surgery and further decreases in surgical intensive care unit patients. The decline may be owing to increased demand caused by increased oxidative stress. To normalize plasma vitamin C concentration, much higher doses than the recommended daily allowance or doses recommended in parenteral nutrition guidelines are needed in these patients. In uncomplicated surgical patients, more than 500 mg/day of vitamin C may be required, with much higher doses in surgical intensive care unit patients.
