Sex-Specific Prospective Association of Serum Zinc Concentration with Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality: A 10-Year...

Zinc is an essential trace element that plays a significant role in vascular function. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between serum zinc (SZn) concentration and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, CVD mortality, and all-cause mortality, while also considering possible sex-specific differences. We analyzed data from 3,353 participants aged 30 years or older without a history of CVD, sourced from the fourth phase of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) conducted between 2009 and 2011. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used. In men, low SZn levels were associated to a 94% increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.03-3.65). Conversely, high SZn concentrations were associated with a reduced risk of CVD events (HR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.46-0.93). No significant associations were observed in women. In men, low SZn was associated with higher all-cause mortality, whereas high SZn was inversely associated with CVD risk.