Abstract

A REVIEW OF COVID-19: POOR OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH ZINC DEFICIENCY

Shilpa S. S. Nair*, Subash Chandran M. P., Karthika Lal B. and Prasobh G. R.

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Abstract

Background: Zinc is a trace element with potent immunoregulatory and antiviral properties, by interquartile range 53.4–94.6) mg/dl vs 105.8 (interquartile range 95.65–120.90) mg/dl (p < 0.001). Amongst the COVID-19 patients, 27 (57.4%) were found to be zinc deficient. These patients were found to have higher rates of complications (p = 0.009), acute respiratory distress syndrome (18.5% v/s 0%, p=0.06), corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.02), prolonged hospital stay (p = 0.05), and increased mortality (18.5% v/s 0%, p = 0.06). The Odds Ratio (OR) of developing complications was 5.54for zinc deficient COVID-19 patients.

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