Published July 18, 2023 | Version v1
Journal article Open

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

Creators

  • 1. Department of Medical Microbiology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Samsun, Türkiye.
  • 2. Department of Medical Microbiology, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Faculty of Medicine, Rize, Türkiye.
  • 3. Department of Medical Microbiology, Bafra State Hospital, Samsun, Türkiye.
  • 4. Department of Medical Biochemistry, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Samsun, Türkiye.
  • 5. Department of Intensive Care, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Samsun, Türkiye.

Description

Abstract

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<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<0.001, p<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.

Özet

Henüz tam olarak sonlanmamış olan COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) salgını bireyler, topluluklar ve sağlık sistemleri için küresel ölçekte kalıcı bir tehlike oluşturmaktadır. Pek çok hastalıkta olduğu gibi hastanın bağışıklık sistemi COVID-19'un ilerlemesi ve ölüm oranlarıyla karmaşık bir şekilde ilişkilidir. Genel olarak bağışıklık sistemi, konakçıyı enfeksiyonlara ve neoplastik hücrelere karşı korumada çok önemli bir rol oynar ve iyi dengelenmiş bir beslenme, bağışıklık sisteminin enfeksiyöz etkenlere karşı etkili savunma yeteneğini artırabilir. Çinko eksikliği olan çocuklarda çinko takviyesinin alt solunum yolu enfeksiyonlarının oluşumunu azaltabileceği yönünde önerilerde bulunulmuştur. Bu çalışmada, çinkonun yukarıda özetlenen tüm gereklilikleri yerine getirmesine dayanarak, çinkonun tek başına veya diğer tekniklerle birlikte önleyici ve tedavi edici bir etken olarak potansiyeli incelenecektir. Çalışma kohortu kritik bakım hastaları, servis hastaları ve sağlıklı kontrol grubu olmak üzere üç ayrı gruba ayrıldı; 24 yoğun bakım COVID-19 hastası, 27 serviste tedavi gören COVID-19 hastası ve 26 sağlıklı kişi. Gruplar yaş dağılımı açısından anlamlı derede bir eşitsizlik sergiledi (p<0.001). Karşılaştırmalı analizler, survey (mortalite) sonuçları, kronik hastalık varlığı ve hastanede kalış süresi açısından gruplar arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılıklar olduğunu gösterdi (sırasıyla p<0.001, p<0.001 ve p=0.007). COVID-19 hastaları (n=51), sağlıklı bireylerden oluşan kontrol grubu (n=26) ile karşılaştırıldığında belirgin şekilde düşük çinko seviyeleri sergiledi. COVID-19 tanısı alan hastalarda ortalama çinko seviyesinin 89 μg/dl (aralık: 43-123 μg/dl) olduğu gözlemlendi. Buna karşın, COVID-19 olmayan bireylerde ortalama çinko düzeyi 99.5 μg/dl (aralık: 79-125 μg/dl) olarak belirlendi. Gruplar arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde farklılık olduğu gözlendi (p=0.023). Çalışma, COVID-19 hastalarının %25.5'ini oluşturan toplam 13 kişinin çinko düzeylerinde eksiklik sergilediğini ortaya çıkardı. Çalışmamızın bulguları çinkonun potansiyel olarak COVID-19 bağlamında önemli bir rol oynadığına işaret etmektedir. Ancak, COVID-19 ile çinko arasındaki ilişkinin kapsamlı bir şekilde anlaşılması için ek araştırmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Notes

Türkiye'de Samsun İlinde COVID-19 Tanısı ile Hastanede Takip Edilen Hastalarda Serum Çinko Düzeyinin Değerlendirilmesi

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