Serum Zinc Levels In Patients Research Articles

Association between biomarkers of zinc and copper status and heart failure: a meta-analysis.

Previous studies have investigated the relationship between heart failure (HF) and levels of zinc and copper, but conflicting results have been reported. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the role of zinc and copper in HF progression by examining the associations between HF and concentrations of these minerals. We utilized STATA 12.0 software to calculate the standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for serum zinc and copper levels in patients with HF compared with healthy controls (HCs). The meta-analysis indicated a lower serum zinc level in patients with HF compared with HCs, using a random effects model (SMD=-0.77; 95% CI: -1.01, -0.54; I2=61.9%, the P-value for Q test=0.002). Additionally, the meta-analysis showed an increased serum copper level in patients with HF compared with HCs, using a random effects model (SMD=0.66; 95% CI: 0.09, 1.23; I2=93.8%, the P-value for Q test<0.001). Meta-regression analysis indicated that publication year, age, and gender were not responsible for heterogeneity across studies. This meta-analysis demonstrates that patients with HF have lower serum zinc and higher copper concentrations compared with healthy subjects. However, the potential of zinc supplementation as a therapy for HF should be approached with caution. The heterogeneity among the included studies was found to be high. It is recommended that further well-designed large sample studies be conducted to validate these findings.

Investigation of Serum Zinc Level in Non-Diabetic, Pre-Diabetic And Diabetic Patients: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the serum zinc level in non-diabetic, pre-diabetic and diabetic patients and reveal the relationship between serum zinc level and glycemic status. &#x0D; &#x0D; Material and Method: The study was a single-center, prospective, cross-sectional study. Fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance, and serum zinc levels of patients admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinic were measured. Patients were categorized as non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, and diabetic according to their results, and compared regarding serum zinc levels. &#x0D; &#x0D; Results: Zinc was significantly lower in the diabetes group than in the other groups (p

Evaluation of Serum Zinc Level in Patients with Pattern Hair Loss (A Case-Controlled Study)

Evaluation of Serum Zinc Level in Patients with Pattern Hair Loss (A Case-Controlled Study)

Evaluation of the Serum Zinc Level in Patients Followed in Hospital with the Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Samsun Province, Türkiye

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) outbreak has not yet ended and poses a persistent hazard to individuals, communities, and healthcare systems globally. Similar to numerous other diseases, the immune system of the patient is intricately associated with the advancement and mortality rates of COVID-19. In general, the immune system plays a crucial role in protecting the host against infections and neoplastic cells, and a well-balanced diet can enhance the immune system's ability to effectively defend against infectious agents. There have been suggestions that the administration of zinc supplements may decrease the occurrence of lower respiratory tract infections in children who are deficient in zinc. This study will thus examine the potential of zinc as a preventive and therapeutic agent, either on its own or in conjunction with other techniques, as zinc fulfills all the requirements outlined above. The study cohort was stratified into three distinct groups, namely critical care patients, service patients, and a healthy control group; a total of 24 COVID-19 patients in critical care, 27 ward-treated COVID-19 patients, and 26 healthy individuals. The groups exhibited a notable disparity in age distribution (p&lt;0.001). A statistically significant difference was seen among the groups in relation to the survey results, presence of chronic disease, and length of hospital stay (p&lt;0.001, p&lt;0.001, and p=0.007, respectively). COVID-19 patients (n=51) exhibited markedly reduced zinc levels in comparison to a control group of healthy individuals (n=26). It was observed that the average zinc level in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was 89 μg/dl (range: 43-123 μg/dl). In comparison, the median zinc level in individuals without COVID-19 was found to be 99.5 μg/dl (range: 79-125 μg/dl). A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups (p=0.023). The study revealed that a total of 13 individuals, accounting for 25.5% of the COVID-19 patients, exhibited a deficiency in zinc levels. The findings of our study indicate that zinc potentially plays a significant role in the context of COVID-19. However, additional research is required to get a comprehensive understanding of the association between COVID-19 and zinc.

Assessment of Serum Zinc Levels in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis of the Liver and Its Association With Disease Severity and Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Prospective Observational Study From North India.

Background Zinc, an essential trace element, plays a vital role in cellular metabolism, and the liver is the main organ responsible for its metabolism. Because serum zinc levels are found to be lowered in chronic liver diseases, it has been hypothesized to be a precipitating factor for the development of hepatic encephalopathy. Methodology This prospective, observational study included patients with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver who were admitted to the medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care institute in northern India between September 2021 and April 2023. The diagnosis was based on history and detailed clinical examination. The serum zinc levels of patients were estimated using atomic absorption spectrometry at admission and compared to that of healthy controls. Serum zinc levels were correlated with the severity of liver disease and hepatic encephalopathy among the cases. Results A total of 100 cases of decompensated cirrhosis of the liver and 50 healthy controls were included. The mean serum zinc level of the cases was 40.5 ± 10.0 µg/dL which was significantly lower than the mean serum zinc level (104.0±9.1 µg/dL) of controls (p < 0.0001). Serum zinc level was significantly lower in patients with higher grades of hepatic encephalopathy (p = 0.000). Similarly, serum zinc level was significantly reduced among patients with higher Child-Pugh and Model for End-stage Liver Disease scores. Conclusions Serum zinc level is significantly reduced in patients with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver, and lower serum zinc level is associated with the increased severity of the disease and higher grades of hepatic encephalopathy. In patients with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver, maintenance of adequate serum zinc levels may prevent hepatic encephalopathy.

Assessment of Serum Zinc Level in Relation to Different Presentation of Wilson Disease in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background:Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism with diverse clinical manifestations. Zinc (Zn) has been used for treatment of WD. Recent studies showed low serum zinc level in patients suffering from WD than the normal. Objective: This cross sectional observational study has been designed to compare the serum Zinc level in children suffering from different presentation of WD before started treatment. Methods: This work was carried out at the department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and nutrition, BSMMU, Dhaka between July’ 2018 to June2019. Total 27 children diagnosed as WD disease, aged between three to eighteen years were included in this study. The patients of WD were divided into four groups according to their presentation as acute hepatitis, decompensated liver disease, acute liver failure and Wilson disease with neurological manifestation. Informed written consent were obtained from all patients for participation in this study. Along with other physical findings and laboratory investigations 3 ml of venous blood were collected for estimation of serum Zinc level. After estimation of serum Zinc level results were analyzed statistically. The difference in serum zinc levels were compared between the groups. Results: Serum Zinc level was founded low in all Wilson disease patients (43.8 ±19.7 [13-83] µg /dl) compared to normal value (64-124µgm. /dl). Among the patients, Serum Zinc level was significantly lower in those who presented as CLD (18 cases, 38.4±17.4µg/dl) and acute liver failure (4 cases, 33.1±3.7µg/dl) compared to those presented as acute hepatitis (4cases, 71.8±4.3 µg/dl) and p value was 0.001 and &lt;0.001 respectively. Mean serum Zinc level was low in 4 patients suffering from acute liver failure (33.1±3.7µg/dl) but was not significant compared to those (23) who presented as Wilson disease non-ALF (45.7±20.8 µg/dl) (P= 0.013) and as Wilson disease CLD (38.4±17.4µg/dl) (p=.25). Conclusion: Serum Zinc level was lowered in patients of Wilson disease. Serum level of zinc was significantly low in patients presented as CLD and acute liver failure in comparison to patients with acute hepatitis. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2023; 41: 126-131

Does zinc have a role in alopecia areata? A clinic-biochemical study

Objectives:(1) The objectives of the study are as follows: To study serum zinc levels in patients with alopecia areata. (2) To study the correlation between serum zinc levels and severity of alopecia areata.Material and Methods:A hospital-based and cross-sectional study was conducted in our out-patient Department of Dermatology and STD. All new cases of alopecia areata were included in this study. The patients with clinical features of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and other autoimmune disorders were excluded from the study. After obtaining a detailed history and examination and confirmation by hair pull test and dermoscopy, the severity of alopecia was graded by Severity of Alopecia Tool score and gauging score. Serum zinc levels of the patients were then measured by calorimetric method.Results:A total of 88 cases who met the criteria were chosen. Majority of patients were between 20 and 40 years of age with a male preponderance. Patchy pattern of alopecia was the most common pattern noted with scalp being the most commonly involved site. Serum zinc was deficient in around 52.2% of cases. Most of the patients had mild alopecia areata. No significant association was noted between serum zinc levels and alopecia areata. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the severity of alopecia areata and serum zinc levels.Conclusion:In our study, no association was noted between serum zinc levels and alopecia areata. Furthermore, the severity of alopecia areata did not correlate with serum zinc levels.

Association between Serum Zinc Levels and Clinicopathological Characteristics in Patients with Gastric Cancer

Introduction: Although it was reported that serum zinc levels were lower in patients with various malignancies, serum zinc levels of patients with gastric cancer were not well documented. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between clinicopathologic features and serum zinc levels in preoperative patients with gastric cancer. Methods: The study enrolled 83 patients scheduled for gastric cancer surgery at the Kochi Medical School. Clinical data were obtained to investigate associations between clinicopathological features, including nutritional indicators and serum zinc levels. Serum zinc deficiency was defined as serum zinc level Results: The median zinc level of the 83 patients was 73 μg/dL (range, 20–152 μg/dL), and serum zinc deficiency was present in 66.3% of patients. Albumin was significantly lower in the zinc low level group than in the normal group (3.9 g/dL vs. 4.4 g/dL, p p p = 0.041). The median serum zinc level was significantly lower in the age ≥74 group than in the age p = 0.002). Serum zinc levels showed a significant positive correlation with serum albumin (r = 0.637, p = 0.009). Conclusion: Serum zinc deficiency was found in 66.3% of preoperative patients with gastric cancer, which was highly correlated with serum albumin.

Serum zinc levels in patients with hirsutism

Serum zinc levels in patients with hirsutism

Serum Zinc Level in Patients with Severe Genital Warts: A Case-Control Study in a Dermatology Hospital.

Background Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted disease (STD), and there is no method that completely prevents its recurrence. Recently, zinc has been used in the treatment of cutaneous warts. Nondestructive action, ease of use, and promising results with low chances of relapse were reflected in the treatment. These effects may arise from the immunomodulatory activity of zinc in the event of a viral infection. Objectives This study was aimed at identifying the relationship between the serum zinc level and the clinical characteristics of patients with genital warts. Materials and Methods A case-control study was conducted. Genital warts were diagnosed by clinical examination, and disease severity was demonstrated based on the number of affected sites or the spread of lesions. The serum zinc level was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results A total of 78 patients with genital warts and 78 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. The mean serum zinc level in the genital wart group was lower than that in the control group (81.83 ± 13.99 μg/dL vs. 86.66 ± 17.58 μg/dL); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The mean concentrations of serum zinc in patients having more than one affected site, spread > 2 cm2, or ten or more lesions were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results suggested that severe genital warts may be associated with a low serum zinc level in patients.

Evaluation of serum zinc level in patients with Alopecia Areata

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is non-scarring telogenic alopecia of autoimmune etiology. Clinically, the disease is characterized by the appearance of alopecic patches or plaques of varying size and number on the scalp with peak incidence 2% in the general population, can involve any age group with higher prevalence in younger patients. Aim: The purpose of this study is to estimate serum zinc level in patient with alopecia areata comparing to age, sex match healthy controls. Method: A case-control study was conducted on total number of 120 subjects;60 patients with AA and 60 age- and sex matched healthy controls. Serum zinc levels were assessed in all subjects. Comparison of mean serum zinc levels was done between all patients and controls. A significantly lower serum zinc level was found in patients with AA compared with controls and the significant inverse correlations existed between serum zinc level and severity of AA.

Evaluation of Serum Zinc levels in Patients on Regular Hemodialysis in Zagazig University Hospitals

Evaluation of Serum Zinc levels in Patients on Regular Hemodialysis in Zagazig University Hospitals

Significance of furosemide in patients with cirrhosis treated with or without zinc acetate hydrate supplementation.

The Japanese guidelines for the treatment of cirrhosis suggest zinc supplementation to prevent hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis and zinc deficiency, although the factors that are associated with therapeutic efficacy remain unknown. A total of 159 patients with chronic liver diseases but without previous zinc supplementation were analyzed. Factors associated with serum zinc levels as well as the therapeutic efficacy of zinc supplementation were evaluated. Serum zinc levels decreased with the progression of liver diseases. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the serum levels of albumin and cholinesterase and the daily furosemide dose were independently associated with the serum zinc levels. The optimal furosemide cut-off dosage for patients with zinc deficiency (<60μg/dl) was 5mg/day. Among 34 patients receiving zinc acetate hydrate, overt hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 12 patients (35.4%). A multivariate analysis identified a minimal serum zinc level of 50μg/dl after more than 12weeks of zinc supplementation as a factor associated with overt encephalopathy development, while furosemide use was not associated. The Child-Pugh score at baseline was the only factor associated with the maintenance of sufficient serum zinc levels. Although the furosemide dose was negatively correlated with the serum zinc level in patients with chronic liver diseases, furosemide use was not associated with the occurrence of overt encephalopathy in those receiving zinc supplementation. Serum zinc levels of ≥50μg/dl were required to prevent overt encephalopathy development during zinc supplementation in both patients with and those without furosemide administration.

Serum Trace Elements Concentrations in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome.

Increased brain and serum zinc levels in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (idiopathic RLS or iRLS) were described when compared with controls, suggesting a possible role of zinc in the pathogenesis of this disease. However, serum magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, and copper levels of RLS patients were similar to controls, suggesting a specific impairment of zinc-dependent metabolism in RLS. The aim of this study is to assess the serum concentrations of trace elements involved in oxidative stress or causing peripheral nerve toxicity in a large series of patients with iRLS and controls. We determined serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium, calcium, aluminium, lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in 100 patients diagnosed with iRLS and in 110 age- and sex-matched controls using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Serum copper, magnesium, selenium, and calcium concentrations were significantly higher in RLS patients than in controls. These differences were observed both in men and women. There were no major correlations between serum trace metal concentrations and age at onset of RLS or RLS severity, nor was there any association with a family history of RLS or drug response. This study shows an association between increased serum concentrations of copper, magnesium, selenium, and calcium with RLS in a Spanish Caucasian population and does not confirm the previously reported increase in serum zinc concentrations in patients suffering from this disease, suggesting that the different accuracy of the analytical methods used could have influenced the inconsistent results found in the literature.

The relationship between zinc deficiency and infectious complications in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure.

The prevalence of zinc deficiency is high in patients with chronic liver disease, but few studies have hitherto explored the relationship between the serum zinc level and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). This study aimed to assess the association between zinc deficiency and infectious complications, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Patients with HBV-related ACLF from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between January 2019 and December 2019 were retrospectively analysed in this study. Their demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital information system and analysed. The Student's t-test was used for normally distributed continuous variables between two groups and the Chi-square test was used for categorical data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify independent parameters. A total of 284 patients were included in this study, including 205 liver cirrhosis and 79 non-cirrhosis patients. The proportion of patients with zinc deficiency was the highest (84.5%), followed by subclinical zinc deficiency (14.1%) and normal zinc level (1.4%). Patients in the zinc deficiency group had a higher MELD score than the subclinical zinc deficiency or normal zinc group (P = 0.021). Age, total bilirubin, and serum zinc level were independent factors for infection (Ps < 0.05). The serum zinc level in patients without complications at admission was significantly higher than that in patients with complications (P = 0.004). Moreover, the serum zinc level in patients with prothrombin time activity (PTA) of <20% was significantly lower than that in patients with 20% ≤ PTA < 30% (P = 0.007) and that in patients with 30% ≤ PTA < 40% (P < 0.001). Zinc deficiency is common in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Zinc deficiency is closely associated with infectious complications and MELD score in patients with HBV-related ACLF.

Serum zinc levels in pediatric patients with COVID-19.

Zinc has potent immunoregulatory and antiviral effects that are critical for growth, immunity, and neurologic development. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significance of serum zinc levels in pediatric patients with COVID-19 and to demonstrate its association with disease severity. This prospective observational study was conducted between August 3 and November 15, 2020, in pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years with confirmed COVID-19 using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We defined a control group whose serum zinc levels were determined 1 year ago at the same time as those of patients with COVID-19. We used 70 μg/dL as the cut-off zinc value to define zinc deficiency. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS for Windows statistics package program. One hundred children with confirmed COVID-19 and 269 children in the control group participated in the study. The median age was 13.3 (IQR: 8–15.4) years in patients with confirmed COVID-19, 11 patients had low serum zinc levels, and 89 patients had normal serum zinc levels. Patients in the group with low zinc levels had a significantly higher hospitalization rate than the group with normal zinc levels (5 (45.5%) and 10 patients (11.2%), respectively) (p = 0.011). The median serum zinc level in patients with COVID-19 was 88.5 mcg/dL (IQR 77.2–100), which was significantly lower than the median level in the control group, which was 98 mcg/dL (IQR 84–111) (p = 0.001). There was no association between the severity of COVID-19 and the serum zinc levels of the children.Conclusion: Serum zinc levels may be influenced by many factors such as fasting status, diurnal variation, exercise, and sex, and may give an impression of the zinc status of the population rather than reflecting the individual. The fact that the incidence of hospitalization was significantly higher in patients with both COVID-19 and low serum zinc levels suggests that these patients require a detailed assessment of their living environment.What is Known:• Serum zinc levels have been found to be low in adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19.• There was a correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and serum zinc levels in adults.What is New:• Children with low serum zinc levels were found to have a higher number of hospitalizations.• No association was found between the severity of COVID-19 disease and serum zinc levels in children.

Serum zinc level in patients on maintenance hemodialysis and its relationship to anemia

Serum zinc level in patients on maintenance hemodialysis and its relationship to anemia

Serum zinc levels in patients with herpes zoster infection

Serum zinc levels in patients with herpes zoster infection

Serum zinc levels in patients with phlegmons as a marker of the severity of infection and the potential of zinc supplementation to reduce the risk of recurrence.

We analyzed the serum zinc levels of 37 patients with 40 phlegmon lesions. The mean serum zinc level was 52.1±16.4μg/dL. The serum zinc level was negatively correlated with the C-reactive protein (CRP) level (r=-0.66) and white blood cell (WBC) count (r=-0.56). It was also positively correlated with the serum levels of albumin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit (r=0.57, 0.50, and 0.50, respectively). Patients with serum zinc levels of <60μg/dL had higher CRP levels and WBC counts (p<0.005 and p<0.05, respectively) and lower albumin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels (p<0.001, p<0.01, and p<0.01, respectively), and were more likely to be hospitalized (p<0.05) than those with serum zinc levels of ≥60μg/dL. Patients with low serum zinc levels were given zinc tablets. Three of the seven patients who developed recurrent phlegmons did not develop any further lesions after taking zinc tablets for >10months. Of the remaining patients, one only developed a minimal lesion, and another two experienced recurrence twice but did not have any further lesions for 10 and 15months, respectively. These findings indicate that in patients with phlegmons the serum zinc level is a suitable marker of the severity of infection, and zinc supplementation reduces the risk of further recurrence in patients whose lesions relapse.

Relationship between serum zinc level and sepsis-induced coagulopathy.

We investigated whether a decrease in the serum zinc level (SZL) among patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was related to sepsis-induced coagulopathy. All patients (≥20 years) with a diagnosis of sepsis defined by Sepsis-3 criteria, presenting to the ICU between June 2016 and July 2017, were enrolled. Demographic characteristics and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Japanese Association of Acute Medicine (JAAM) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) scores were recorded. Blood samples were collected upon admission and analyzed for SZL. One hundred patients with sepsis (median age, 70 years) were enrolled. Patients with SOFA scores ≥8 had a significantly lower SZL compared to those with SOFA scores <8 (p < 0.001). The SZL in the DIC group (JAAM DIC score ≥4) was significantly lower than that in the non-DIC group (JAAM DIC score <4) (p < 0.001). Analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for prediction of sepsis-induced DIC based on SZL in patients with sepsis showed a cut-off value of 25 µg/dL for zinc level and a sensitivity of 63% and a specificity of 72% with AUC of 0.7 (p = 0.0065). We observed that SZL reflects organ failure, particularly coagulopathy, in patients with sepsis.