The Relationship of Plasma Zinc Concentration and Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients with Cirrhosis

Abstract

Background: Zinc deficiency is prevalent in Iran. Regarding the effect of zinc element on pathogenesis of cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy, the present study has been designed to assess the zinc deficiency in patients with cirrhosis, with and without hepatic encephalopathy. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was done in internal ward of Shariati Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, in 2011. 80 patients with cirrhosis, with any etiology, were chosen and divided in two groups of with and without hepatic encephalopathy. They were examined for plasma zinc concentration. The recorded data was analyzed via Stata11 software. Findings: 80 patients with cirrhosis with the mean (± standard deviation) age of 50.97 ± 14.51 years were evaluated. There were 44 men (55 percent) and 36 women (45 percent). The mean (± standard deviation) concentration of plasma zinc was 87.50 ± 27.03 µg/dl. The plasma zinc concentration was low in 26.25 percent. The mean (± standard deviation) concentration of plasma zinc in patients with and without hepatic encephalopathy was 75.10 ± 23.9 and 104.00 ± 23.10 µg/dl, respectively, with significant statistically difference (P 0.05). Conclusion: The plasma zinc concentration was low in patients with cirrhosis, especially in those with hepatic encephalopathy; therefore, measurement of plasma zinc concentration should be considered for patients with cirrhosis, especially in those with hepatic encephalopathy to do the suitable treatment.

Keywords

• Cirrhosis
• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Zinc