A meta-analysis of zinc salts lozenges and the common cold.
BACKGROUND
In the United States, the common cold has been estimated to cost more than $3.5 billion a year. Despite several randomized clinical trials, the effect of treating colds with zinc salts lozenges remains uncertain because of conflicting results.


OBJECTIVE
To conduct a meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials on the use of zinc salts lozenges in colds using a random effects model.


RESULTS
Eight clinical trials of treating adults with zinc salts lozenges were identified. After excluding 2 studies that used nasal inoculation of rhinovirus, 6 trials were combined and analyzed. The summary odds ratio for the presence of any cold symptoms at 7 days was 0.50 (95% confidence interval, 0.19-1.29).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite numerous randomized trials, the evidence for effectiveness of zinc salts lozenges in reducing the duration of common colds is still lacking.
Jackson
J L
JL
Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash, USA.
Peterson
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C
Lesho
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D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003139:Common Cold / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015032:Zinc