Clinical Effects of Zinc Supplementation in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
10.24304/kjcp.2021.31.2.136
- Author:
Hye Won PARK
1
;
So Yeon LEE
;
Sook Hee AN
Author Information
1. College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, 460, Iksandaero, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do 54538, Republic of Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
2021;31(2):136-144
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Zinc is known for modulating antiviral and antibacterial immunity and regulating inflammatory response. This study aimed to examine the effect of zinc supplementation on clinical outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients through systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
Methods:PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched for studies comparing zinc supplement group versus control group for clinical outcomes of COVID-19 up to November 3, 2020. The search results were updated on February 9, 2021. The meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.4 software.
Results:Total 4 studies were included in this systematic review. The zinc administered group had a significantly lower mortality rate compared with the control group (odds ratio [OR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.53-0.75, p<0.001), with significantly higher discharge rate (OR 1.32, 95% Cl 1.15-1.52, p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in the intensive care unit admission rate (OR 1.07, 95% Cl 0.26-4.48, p=0.92), mechanical ventilation rate (OR 0.80, 95% Cl 0.45-1.41, p=0.44), and length of hospital stay (mean difference 0.75, 95% Cl −0.64 to 2.13, p=0.29) between the two groups.
Conclusion:The meta-analysis of zinc administration showed positive clinical effects on the discharge rate and mortality of COVID-19 hospitalized patients. However, large-scale randomized controlled trial should be conducted for zinc to be considered as one of the adjuvant treatments.
