30 Apr 2025 • A study has confirmed that low vitamin C levels in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) are associated with slower bacterial clearance, greater lung damage, and worse treatment outcomes.

Key Findings:

• Patients with normal vitamin C were more likely to test culture-negative at 2 (83.05% vs. 28.00%), 4 (84.75% vs. 58.00%), and 6 months (89.83% vs. 68.00%) of treatment.

• By six months, those with low vitamin C levels had more severe lung damage, including bronchiectasis, fibrosis, and cavitary lesions.

• Lung function declined more in patients with low vitamin C, with FEV dropping by 5.77% vs. 3.59%, FVC by 12% vs. 6.67%, and the Tiffeneau index by 3.34 vs. 2.13 compared to the normal group.

• FVC (AUC 0.826) and forced expiratory flow (AUC 0.745) were robust predictors of treatment success in those with adequate vitamin C.

The study underscores the importance of vitamin C in TB treatment, suggesting supplementation may improve clinical outcomes and help prevent long-term lung damage.

Source: Frontiers | Read Full Story