Zinc as a potential prophylactic adjuvant therapy for prolonged hospitalization: A systematic review and meta-analysis of an umbrella of randomized controlled trials

Aims: The present study evaluated the effect of oral zinc supplementation on shortening hospital length of stay. Methods: A systematic review was conducted for randomized control trials in patients who were hospitalized regardless of age and cause of admission. Studies were collected from PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library until July 2023. Results were compared between the zinc group and those who received a placebo and/or the standard therapy. Results: Eight studies were qualified for our meta-analysis. Of the 1267 patients, 633 and 634 were in the zinc supplementation and control groups, respectively. The meta-analysis found that oral zinc supplementation group experienced a lower length of hospital stay than the control group (mean difference, −0.43 days; 95% confidence interval, −0.65 to −0.22; P < 0.0001; heterogeneity, I2 = 20%). Conclusion: The administration of oral zinc supplements was associated with a slightly reduced duration of hospital stay. © 2024 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.