High Dose Zinc Increases Hospital Admissions Due to Genitourinary Complications

No AccessJournal of UrologyAdult urology1 Feb 2007High Dose Zinc Increases Hospital Admissions Due to Genitourinary Complications Aaron R. Johnson, Alejandro Munoz, Justin L. Gottlieb, and David F. Jarrard Aaron R. JohnsonAaron R. Johnson Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin More articles by this author , Alejandro MunozAlejandro Munoz Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin More articles by this author , Justin L. GottliebJustin L. Gottlieb Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin More articles by this author , and David F. JarrardDavid F. Jarrard Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2006.09.047AboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract Purpose: Zinc is a common dietary supplement that is widely believed to have beneficial health effects. To assess the impact of high dose supplemental zinc on genitourinary diseases we analyzed a recent randomized trial comparing zinc, antioxidants and their combination to placebo for complications related to the genitourinary tract. Materials and Methods: In a further analysis of the recent Age-related Eye Disease Study we examined the data pool for primary International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision codes given for hospital admissions related to urological problems. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study randomized 3,640 patients with age related macular degeneration to 1 of 4 study arms, including placebo, antioxidants (500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E and 15 mg β-carotene), 80 mg zinc and antioxidant plus zinc. Statistical analyses using Fisher’s exact test were performed. Results: We found a significant increase in hospital admissions due to genitourinary causes in patients on zinc vs nonzinc formulations (11.1% vs 7.6%, p = 0.0003). The risk was greatest in male patients (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.07–1.50, p = 0.008). In the study group of 343 patients requiring hospital admission the most common primary International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision codes included benign prostatic hyperplasia/urinary retention (benign prostatic hyperplasia), urinary tract infection, urinary lithiasis and renal failure. When comparing zinc to placebo, significant increases in urinary tract infections were found (p = 0.004), especially in females (2.3% vs 0.4%, RR 5.77, 95% CI 1.30–25.66, p = 0.013). Admissions for urinary lithiasis approached significance in men on zinc compared to placebo (2.0% vs 0.5%, RR = 4.08, 95% CI 0.87–19.10). There was no increase in prostate or other cancers with zinc supplementation. A significant decrease in prostate cancer diagnoses was seen in patients receiving antioxidants vs placebo (RR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.49–0.86, p = 0.049). Subgroup analysis revealed that this finding was significant in men who smoked but not in nonsmokers. 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Google Scholar © 2007 by American Urological AssociationFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byZhang Y, Song M, Mucci L and Giovannucci E (2022) Regular, Long-Duration Multivitamin Use and Risk of Overall and Aggressive Prostate Cancer in the Health Professionals Follow-Up StudyJournal of Urology, VOL. 208, NO. 3, (633-640), Online publication date: 1-Sep-2022.Ferraro P and Curhan G (2018) Zinc as a Contributing Factor in Lithogenesis: Not Yet Ready for the ClinicJournal of Urology, VOL. 197, NO. 5, (1187-1188), Online publication date: 1-May-2017. Volume 177Issue 2February 2007Page: 639-643 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2007 by American Urological AssociationKeywordszincprostatic neoplasmscomplicationsprostateprostatic hyperplasiaAcknowledgmentsGary Gensler, EMMES Corp. assisted with data set analysis.MetricsAuthor Information Aaron R. Johnson Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin More articles by this author Alejandro Munoz Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin More articles by this author Justin L. Gottlieb Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin More articles by this author David F. Jarrard Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, Wisconsin More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...