The Power of Vitamin C: A Scoping Review of Pressure Injury Wound Healing with Vitamin C Supplementation

Authors

  • Dilkhas Mosa Western University, London, ON, Canada; Western University, London, ON, Canada; Conestoga College, Kitchener, ON, Canada
  • Cassandra Jilek Western University, London, ON, Canada; Ontario Health at Home, Waterloo-Wellington, ON, Canada
  • Amy Jia Su Western University, London, ON, Canada; Western University, London, ON, Canada; Seneca Polytechnic College, Toronto, ON, Canada
  • Lisa Ketchmark Western University, London, ON, Canada; Ministry of Solicitor General, Hamilton, ON, Canada
  • Safoua Ammar Western University, London, ON, Canada; City of Toronto (True Davidson Acres), Toronto, ON, Canada
  • Erin Kennedy Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program, Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63354/cjwoc.v1i1.13443

Keywords:

Pressure ulcer, pressure injury, bedsore, decubitus ulcer, decubitus injury, ascorbic acid, vitamin C, ascorbate, wound healing

Abstract

Background
Pressure injuries are a significant health concern in Canada, with the occurrence as high as 26% across all health care settings. Researchers have studied the effectiveness of vitamin C in the healing of pressure injuries. The purpose of this scoping review is to synthesize the existing literature on the role of vitamin C in pressure injury wound healing and identify gaps within the current literature landscape.


Methods
A scoping review of the literature was conducted using the framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley, along with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases were searched for human studies published in English that investigated the effectiveness of vitamin C in reducing wound size and/or accelerating the rate of pressure injury healing. The authors extracted data using a predefined form to summarize information on study type, patient descriptions, study design, interventions, and outcomes.


Results
Nine articles met the review criteria. Six were randomized control trials, and the remaining 3 were observational studies. Seven studies acknowledged the benefit of vitamin C in pressure injury wound healing. One study reported no observed difference in healing within the control and treatment groups, and 1 study did not support the idea of increased vitamin C for wound healing.


Conclusion
The current evidence suggests a possible correlation between vitamin C supplementation and pressure injury wound healing. Research with randomized control trial study designs that have large sample sizes is necessary to investigate the exclusive role of vitamin C and its impact on pressure injury wound healing.

 

 

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Scoping Review

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Published

2025-09-28

How to Cite

Mosa, D., Jilek, C., Su, A. J., Ketchmark, L., Ammar, S., & Kennedy, E. (2025). The Power of Vitamin C: A Scoping Review of Pressure Injury Wound Healing with Vitamin C Supplementation. Canadian Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence, 1(2), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.63354/cjwoc.v1i1.13443

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): Canadian Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence

Section

Review Articles

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