Hair zinc levels and the efficacy of oral zinc supplementation in patients with atopic dermatitis.
Zinc deficiency in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and the use of zinc supplementation is still controversial. We measured hair zinc levels in 58 children with AD and 43 controls (age range 2-14 years). We also investigated the efficacy of oral zinc supplementation in AD patients with low hair zinc levels by comparing eczema assessment severity index (EASI), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and visual analogue scales for pruritus and sleep disturbance in patients receiving zinc supplementation (Group A) and others not receiving supplementation (Group B). At baseline, the mean zinc level was significantly reduced in AD patients (113.1 μg/g vs. 130.9 μg/g, p = 0.012). After 8 weeks of supplement, hair zinc level increased significantly in Group A (p < 0.001), and EASI scores, TEWL, and visual analogue scales for pruritus improved more in Group A than in Group B (p = 0.044, 0.015 and < 0.001, respectively). Thus, oral zinc supplementation may be effective in AD patients with low hair zinc levels.
Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, 138-736, Korea.
Jeong Eun
JE
Kim
Seo Rye
SR
Yoo
Myeong Gil
MG
Jeong
Joo Yeon
JY
Ko
Young Suck
YS
Ro
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis* / Q000172:deficiency
D014131:Trace Elements; D015032:Zinc