Publication date: Jan 01, 2025
The exact role of zinc in COVID-19-infected patients is not well understood. We examined the effects and outcomes of zinc deficiency on COVID-19-infected patients. We focused on patient outcomes: severity, symptomatology, and mortality. The meta-analysis was performed to examine whether COVID-19-infected individuals suffered greater symptomology and mortality. Secondary outcomes explored included severity and hospital length of stay. For mortality, we found that COVID-19-infected individuals with zinc deficiency had a greater risk of mortality than individuals without zinc deficiency (risk ratio (RR)=5. 77; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3. 48, 9. 54; p=0. 004). For symptomology, we found that COVID-19-infected individuals with zinc deficiency had a greater risk of symptomatology than individuals without a zinc deficiency (RR=1. 39; 95% CI: 1. 13, 1. 70; p=0. 020). Zinc-deficient individuals are at a greater risk for mortality and symptomatology. Our findings further reinforce the importance of supplementation as a prophylactic agent against viral infections such as COVID-19.
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| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Covid | covid |
| Hospital | cytokine |
| Mortality | deficiency |
| Viral | inflammation |
| Zinc | zinc |