Zinc Deficiency Associated With an Increase in Mortality in COVID-19 Patients: A Meta-Analysis

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.