Zinc Supplementation May Reduce Pneumonia, Morbidity in Nursing Home Elderly

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Zinc Supplementation May Reduce the Incidence of Pneumonia and

Associated Morbidity in Nursing Home Elderly

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: " Serum zinc and pneumonia in nursing home elderly, " Meydani

SN, Barnett JB, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2007; 86(4): 1167-73. (Address:

SN Meydani, Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at

Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA. E-mail:

simin.meydani@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 617 nursing home elderly, results

indicate that serum zinc concentrations may be inversely associated with

the incidence and duration of pneumonia, total and duration of

antibiotic use, and all-cause mortality. The participants were given

daily doses of 50% of the recommended dietary allowance of essential

vitamins and minerals, including zinc, for 1 year. Baseline (n=578) and

intervention end (n=420) serum zinc concentrations were categorized as

low (<70 mug/dL) or normal (>/=70 mug/dL). The all-cause mortality rate

was found to be 39% lower in those with normal than in those with lower

baseline zinc concentrations. Additionally, the incidence of pneumonia

and the total number of new antibiotic prescriptions used for the

treatment of pneumonia were 50% lower in those with normal intervention

end serum zinc concentrations than in those with low intervention end

serum zinc concentrations. Furthermore, the duration of pneumonia was

lower by 3.9 days, a nd the days of antibiotic use was lower by 2.6 days

in those with normal intervention end serum zinc concentrations than in

those with low intervention end serum zinc concentrations. Thus, the

authors of this study conclude, " Normal serum zinc concentrations in

nursing home elderly are associated with a decreased incidence and

duration of pneumonia, a decreased number of new antibiotic

prescriptions, and a decrease in the days of antibiotic use. Zinc

supplementation to maintain normal serum zinc concentrations in the

elderly may help reduce the incidence of pneumonia and associated

morbidity. "

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