Serum Zinc Deficiency among Patients having Viral Cirrhosis

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of serum zinc deficiency in patients with viral cirrhosis.

Methodology: Present descriptive cross-sectional study was done at Department of Gastroenterology Isra University Hospital, from January 2020 to July 2020. Patients aged 18 to 60 years, both genders who were presented with viral cirrhosis (Hepatitis B and C) were enrolled. Around 3 to 5 mL of venous blood was collected aseptically from cirrhotic patients for the measurement of serum zinc levels. Blood collection was centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 10 minutes. Plasma sample analysis for zinc determination was performed on an automated Perkin-Elmer Analyst 300 atomic absorption spectrophotometer in biochemistry department to assess the zinc deficiency. All the collected data were entered into the proforma attached at the end and used electronically for research purpose.

Results: Mean of age of the patients was 49.3±13.4 years. Out of 162 patients, 88 (54.3%) were male while 74 (45.7%) were female. Diabetes mellitus was documented in 61 (37.7%) patients. Serum zinc deficiency was found in 103 (63.6%) patients. Additionally, the zinc deficiency was statistically insignificant according to age and gender of the patients (p=>0.05), while it was significantly higher among diabetes and hypertensive patients (p=<0.05).

Conclusion: Serum zinc deficiency was observed highly prevalent among viral cirrhosis patients, affecting nearly two-thirds of the study population.