Assessing the potential role of vitamin C in the progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Assessing the potential role of vitamin C in the progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Warwick Medical School

Phoebe Beale and Daisy Bongart

2025

Dr Philip Perkins

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterised by persistent synovial inflammation, progressive joint destruction, and associated pain, which typically manifests symmetrically in the peripheral joints (Uke et al., 2025; Misra, 2025). It is a progressive and debilitating condition, with considerable variation in clinical presentation among patients, often leading to severe functional impairment and a marked reduction in quality of life (Uke et al., 2025; Maeda et al., 2022). Globally, RA affects approximately 0.25–1% of the population, with prevalence varying across geographical regions and populations (Almutari et al., 2020; Di Matteo et al., 2023). Although the precise aetiology of RA remains unclear, oxidative stress has been identified as a key pathogenic mechanism. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to synovial inflammation, joint destruction, and the development of systemic co-morbidities such as coronary artery disease (Wu et al., 2022). This has generated growing interest in the potential therapeutic role of antioxidants, which can scavenge ROS and mitigate oxidative damage (Jing et al., 2023). Among these, vitamin C has emerged as a particularly promising candidate due to its potent antioxidant properties and its role as a cofactor in numerous enzymatic processes regulating immune, vascular, metabolic, and neurological functions (Vollbracht & Kraft., 2022). Despite this theoretical potential, the precise impact of vitamin C on the activity and progression of RA remains uncertain. Evidence regarding its clinical utility in modulating disease mechanisms is still evolving. This literature review will critically evaluate the existing evidence on the relationship between vitamin C and RA, focusing on its prospective role in reducing disease activity and progression.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vitamin C, Progression, Disease Activity