Abstract
Background: Many admitted geriatric patients are malnourished with insufficient intake of trace elements. Zinc status is crucial to maintaining normal immune function and is assessed using plasma zinc concentration. However, plasma zinc drops with increased systemic inflammation (high CRP and hypoalbuminemia), challenging interpretation in older infected patients. Currently, guidelines are unclear for assessing zinc status and prescribing zinc supplements.
Methods: A cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence of low plasma zinc and low albumin-corrected zinc among older patients admitted to the geriatric ward at Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte. Prescription of zinc supplements and the association between low levels of zinc and infections, readmissions, and mortality were analyzed.
Results: Of the included 143 patients (median age 84 years), 93 (65%) had low plasma zinc (0.001). Low plasma zinc was associated with poorer 1-year mortality (2.17, 95% CI 1.01-4.76). However, after adjustment of albumin level, low zinc levels were not associated with poorer outcomes.
Conclusion: Plasma zinc cannot be used to evaluate zinc status in hospitalized, often infected, geriatric patients. Our study suggests that albumin-corrected zinc is a more reliable assessment of zinc status in hospitalized geriatric patients and should guide zinc supplementation.
Keywords
Albumin-corrected zinc; Infection; Malnutrition; Older
Methods: A cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence of low plasma zinc and low albumin-corrected zinc among older patients admitted to the geriatric ward at Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte. Prescription of zinc supplements and the association between low levels of zinc and infections, readmissions, and mortality were analyzed.
Results: Of the included 143 patients (median age 84 years), 93 (65%) had low plasma zinc (0.001). Low plasma zinc was associated with poorer 1-year mortality (2.17, 95% CI 1.01-4.76). However, after adjustment of albumin level, low zinc levels were not associated with poorer outcomes.
Conclusion: Plasma zinc cannot be used to evaluate zinc status in hospitalized, often infected, geriatric patients. Our study suggests that albumin-corrected zinc is a more reliable assessment of zinc status in hospitalized geriatric patients and should guide zinc supplementation.
Keywords
Albumin-corrected zinc; Infection; Malnutrition; Older
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 214 |
| Journal | HSOA Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine |
| Volume | 10 |
| ISSN | 2381-8662 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2024 |