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Research ArticleOriginal Research

A Pilot of a Randomized Control Trial of Melatonin and Vitamin C for Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19

Corey Fogleman, Donna Cohen, Alison Mercier, Daniel Farrell, Jennifer Rutz, Kellie Bresz and Tawnya Vernon
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine July 2022, 35 (4) 695-707; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2022.04.210529
Corey Fogleman
From Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program: (CF, DC, AM, DF, JR); Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Research Institute: (KB, TV).
MD, FAAFP
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Donna Cohen
From Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program: (CF, DC, AM, DF, JR); Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Research Institute: (KB, TV).
MD, MSc
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Alison Mercier
From Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program: (CF, DC, AM, DF, JR); Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Research Institute: (KB, TV).
MD
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Daniel Farrell
From Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program: (CF, DC, AM, DF, JR); Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Research Institute: (KB, TV).
MD
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Jennifer Rutz
From Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program: (CF, DC, AM, DF, JR); Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Research Institute: (KB, TV).
MD
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Kellie Bresz
From Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program: (CF, DC, AM, DF, JR); Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Research Institute: (KB, TV).
MS
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Tawnya Vernon
From Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Family Medicine Residency Program: (CF, DC, AM, DF, JR); Penn Medicine/Lancaster General Health Research Institute: (KB, TV).
MPH
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Abstract

This study aimed to help determine the effect of dietary supplements on symptom course and quality of life in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection.

Design: We modified the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS) to conduct a 3 arm, parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, enrolling patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Patients took placebo (n = 34), vitamin C 1000 mg (n = 32), or melatonin 10 mg (n = 32) orally for 14 days.

Outcomes: Ninety Eight (98 out of 104 recruited; mean age = 52 years) patients completed the study. Outcomes were calculated as differences from baseline scores on each of 2 WURSS-derived surveys and analyzed using a spline regression analysis. Regarding symptom progression, those patients taking placebo and vitamin C progressed at the same rate. When compared with those taking placebo (coefficient = -1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.39 to -0.8) the group taking melatonin had a faster resolution of symptoms (coefficient = -0.63 [95% CI -1.02 to -0.21] P = .003). By day 14 all 3 groups had reached plateau.

Quality-of-life impact analysis demonstrated that the group taking vitamin C improved at the same rate as the group taking placebo (coefficient = -0.71 (95% CI = -1.11 to -0.3)). The group taking melatonin (coefficient = -1.16 (95% CI = -1.75 to - 0.57) P < .005) had a faster improvement in quality-of-life. By day 14 all 3 groups had reached plateau.

Conclusion: Vitamin C 1000 mg once daily has no effect on disease progression. Melatonin 10 mg daily may have a statistically significant effect but it is unclear if this represents a clinically significant benefit to those with mild-to-moderate symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Further study is warranted.

  • Ascorbic Acid
  • COVID-19
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Melatonin
  • Quality of Life
  • Regression Analysis
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamins
  • WURSS
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The Journal of the American Board of Family     Medicine: 35 (4)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Vol. 35, Issue 4
July/August 2022
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A Pilot of a Randomized Control Trial of Melatonin and Vitamin C for Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19
Corey Fogleman, Donna Cohen, Alison Mercier, Daniel Farrell, Jennifer Rutz, Kellie Bresz, Tawnya Vernon
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Jul 2022, 35 (4) 695-707; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2022.04.210529

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A Pilot of a Randomized Control Trial of Melatonin and Vitamin C for Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19
Corey Fogleman, Donna Cohen, Alison Mercier, Daniel Farrell, Jennifer Rutz, Kellie Bresz, Tawnya Vernon
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Jul 2022, 35 (4) 695-707; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2022.04.210529
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Keywords

  • Ascorbic Acid
  • COVID-19
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Melatonin
  • Quality of Life
  • Regression Analysis
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamins
  • WURSS

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