We investigated how vitamin C, specifically in the form of a 2% vitamin C solution spray, could help alleviate heartburn symptoms following Lugol chromoendoscopy, a procedure that involves staining the esophagus to better visualize abnormalities. In a well-structured study with 240 participants, we used a randomized, double-blind approach to compare the effectiveness of vitamin C to normal saline and sodium thiosulfate solutions.
Our results showed that vitamin C spray significantly reduced both acute heartburn symptoms and late discomfort when compared to the saline solution. Specifically, 33% of participants using vitamin C reported relief from acid regurgitation or heartburn, compared to just 15% with sodium thiosulfate. Additionally, patients noted an improvement in retrosternal pain, with 21% finding relief from the vitamin C treatment versus 9% from sodium thiosulfate.
Furthermore, vitamin C offered a quicker discoloration of the iodine-stained mucosa compared to saline, enhancing the overall experience of the procedure. These findings suggest that incorporating vitamin C spray into post-procedural care could be a helpful strategy for patients facing discomfort after undergoing Lugol chromoendoscopy.