Effect of Vitamin C Upon SSRI-treated OCD Patients

Title: Effect of Vitamin C upon Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - treated Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) patients. Purpose of the study: This study aims to examine the effect of vitamin C upon Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) - treated Obsessive Compulsive Disorder patients. Method: It will be a prospective type of interventional study to to assess the effects of vitamin C along with SSRIs upon OCD patients. The study will be conducted in the Department of Pharmacology and Department of Psychiatry, BSMMU, from September 2017 to February 2019. A total of 90 OCD patients will be selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients will be divided randomly into 2 groups: group A and group B. Group A will consist of 45 patients who will receive only SSRIs orally daily and group B would consist of 45 patients who will receive vitamin C, 500 mg BID orally daily along with SSRIs for 8 weeks. To see the effects of Vitamin C, Yale-Brown score of obsessive-compulsive disorders (Y-OCD) would be assessed by Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) at baseline (before vitamin C administration) and 8 weeks after intervention. Biochemical parameters of oxidative stress markers such as plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) and plasma vitamin C level would also be performed at baseline (before vitamin C administration) and 8 weeks after intervention. Ethical consideration: The study will follow the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and of the World Medical Assembly. Patients will be informed about the study in easy language and then informed consent will be taken. This study has no potential risk to the patients. Confidentiality will be strictly maintained.