Fig. 2.

Serum levels and deficiency rates of vitamin C and thiamine during the first 72 h from enrolment: a vitamin C levels, b thiamine levels, c vitamin C deficiency rate, d thiamine deficiency rate. The median vitamin C levels in the treatment and placebo groups were 10.6 μmol/L (IQR 6–20.6; n = 53) vs. 11.5 μmol/L (IQR 5–24.1; n = 57) at enrolment (p = 0.72) and 44 μmol/L (IQR 33.2–72.4; n = 49) vs. 9 μmol/L (IQR 3.7–16.9; n = 56) at 72 h (p < 0.01). The median thiamine levels in the treatment group and the placebo group were 133.4 nmol/L (IQR 86–181.5; n = 53) vs. 151.2 nmol/L (IQR 124.7–221.6; n = 57) at enrolment (p = 0.1) and 282.6 nmol/L (IQR 210.1–337; n = 49) vs. 125.6 nmol/L (IQR 94.8–167.6; n = 56) at 72 h (p < 0.01). Vitamin C deficiency was defined as vitamin C level < 11.4 μmol/L, and thiamine deficiency was defined as thiamine level < 66.1 nmol/L. There was a significant difference in vitamin C deficiency between the two groups at 72 h (0% in the treatment group vs. 55.4% in the placebo group; p < 0.01). IQR, interquartile range