Abstract
Background
Fatigue is a common compliant among patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This may affect patients’ function in all aspects. A few studies have already assessed the influence of complementary therapies on minimizing fatigue. This study aimed to investigate the combined effect of vitamin C and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on fatigue following CABG surgery.
Methods
In this randomized, triple-blind placebo-controlled trial, 160 patients who already underwent CABG surgery were randomly assigned into an experimental or a control groups. Each group consisted of 80 patients. The experimental group was given both n-3 PUFA and vitamin C the day before surgery. They also received the same supplements in the first 5 days of operation. The control group received only placebo. Subjects in both groups responded to Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) scale in the beginning, and at the end of the intervention as well as on the fifth day of the operation. Chi-square test and independent t-test were used for data analysis.
Results
The mean fatigue score in experimental and control groups came up to 62.01 ± 4.06 and 67.92 ± 4.95 (p<0.0001), respectively, which was greater than that of the values we had before intervention. The mean difference of fatigue score was 3.97 ± 3.49 and 9.56 ± 6.41 (p<0.0001) prior and following the intervention, correspondingly.
Conclusion
Combination of vitamin C and n-3 PUFA effectively reduces post-operative fatigue among patients who undergo CABG surgery.
Author statement
Authors’ Contribution: Study concept and design: Mohammad Gholami, Hassan Najafizadeh; acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data: Mohammad Javad Tarrahi, HassanTeimoori, Ali Pooria; statistical analysis: Mohammad Javad Tarrahi; drafting of the manuscript: Arash Ardalan, Mohammad Gholami, Hassan Najafizadeh; administrative, technical, and material support: Hassan Najafizadeh, Arash Ardalan.
All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: This study was an academic work supported in Lorestan University of Medical Sciences.
Employment or leadership: None declared.
Honorarium: None declared.
Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.
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