SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Trends of Zinc Level Testing in Adult Hospitalized Patients at Ummc

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This retrospective observational study examined trends in serum zinc testing among adult hospitalized patients at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) from January 2013 through September 2021. Using de-identified Epic data, the authors identified all inpatients age 18 and older who had zinc levels measured.<br /><br />A total of 534 zinc tests were ordered on 480 patients during 433 hospital encounters. Testing increased over time, with the highest number in 2019, suggesting growing clinical interest in zinc assessment during hospitalization. The cohort included more female than male tests (285 vs 249) and was fairly balanced by race, with 239 tests in African Americans and 277 in Caucasians.<br /><br />Overall, 293 tests (54.86%) were at the lower cutoff of normal (0.66 mcg/mL), while only 15 tests (2.8%) were above the upper limit (1.10 mcg/mL). Most patients were tested only once during their hospitalization, though 40 repeat tests were performed. The median age at testing was 51.5 years. Low zinc levels were common across age groups, sexes, and races: 54.73% of female tests and 58.63% of male tests were low; 57.32% of tests in African Americans and 54.51% in Caucasians were low. Low values were somewhat more frequent in patients older than 35 years.<br /><br />The authors conclude that this is likely the largest adult hospitalized zinc-testing dataset reported to date, and that about one in two tested samples was at or below the lower limit of normal. While zinc deficiency in hospitalized patients may not reflect the general population, these findings suggest it is common and may warrant further study regarding its relationship to morbidity and mortality.

Asset Subtitle

Pradeep Bathina

Meta Tag

Author List Himmat S. Brar, Jannat Kang, Mary Hitt, Michael Temple, Patrick McDaniel, Pradeep Bathina

Category Research

Concept Zinc

Concept Serum Zinc Test

Concept Acrodermatitis Enteropathica

Concept Retrospective observational study

Concept Abnormal Result

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Mississippi Medical Center

Presenting Author Pradeep Bathina

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

serum zinc testing

hospitalized patients

retrospective observational study

zinc deficiency

adult inpatients

Epic data

University of Mississippi Medical Center

laboratory trends

low zinc levels

hospital encounters

Zinc

Serum Zinc Test

Acrodermatitis Enteropathica

Retrospective observational study

Abnormal Result