Efficacy of zinc therapy in prevention of crisis in sickle cell anemia: a double blind, randomized controlled clinical trial.

Abstract

145 patients were recruited in the trial while 130 completed it. Patients were randomized to receive zinc sulphate capsules. 220 mgm three times a day or identical placebo. Major outcome variable was 'Sickle cell crisis'. After a follow up of 1.5 years, the mean number of episodes of crisis was 2.46 +/- 1.04 in the intervention group and 5.29 +/- 2.58 in the control group (p < 0.025; 95% CI for difference between groups: 1.98, 3.42). Mean duration of hospital stay was 4.3 +/- 2.2 days in the intervention group and 3.9 +/- 1.6 days in the control group. The difference was not significant (p > 0.05). There was a significant reduction of the mean number of infective episodes and associated morbidity in patients with sickle cell anaemia.

• Authors: V L Gupta, B S Chaubey
• Journal: The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India (J Assoc Physicians India) Vol. 43 Issue 7 Pg. 467-9 (Jul 1995) ISSN: 0004-5772 [Print] India
• PMID: 8713219 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Antisickling Agents
• Capsules
• Placebos
• Sulfates
• Zinc Compounds
• Zinc Sulfate
• Zinc

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anemia, Sickle Cell (blood, complications, prevention & control)
• Antisickling Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Bacterial Infections (prevention & control)
• Capsules
• Confidence Intervals
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Length of Stay
• Male
• Placebos
• Sulfates (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome
• Zinc (blood)
• Zinc Compounds (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Zinc Sulfate