Aim:The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum zinc levels in patients with gastric cancer.
Methods:We enrolled 702 patients who had been diagnosed with gastric cancer at Kochi Medical School between 2013 and 2021. Clinical data were obtained to investigate associations between clinicopathological features, including nutritional indicators, and serum zinc levels. Serum zinc deficiency was defined as serum zinc level <80 μg/dL.
Results:The median zinc level of the 702 patients was 73 μg/dL (range, 13.5–152.0 μg/dL). Serum zinc deficiency was present in 68.1% of patients. Median age was significantly higher in the low zinc level group than in the normal group (71 years old vs. 67 years old,
P < 0.001). Albumin was significantly lower in the low zinc level group than in the normal group (3.9 g/dL vs. 4.2 g/dL,
P <0.001). Serum zinc levels showed a significant positive correlation with serum albumin (r = 0.528). Median serum zinc level was significantly lower in patients who received chemotherapy after gastrectomy than those who did not receive chemotherapy (72 vs. 76 μg/dL,
P <0.001). Median serum zinc level was significantly lower at 3 to 6 months after gastrectomy than at 1 month or 1 to 3 months after gastrectomy (68 μg/dL vs. 77 μg/dL,
P < 0.001;68 μg/dL vs. 73 μg/dL,
P = 0.024; respectively). Median serum zinc level was also significantly higher at over 12 months after gastrectomy than at 3 to 6 months after gastrectomy (74 μg/dL vs. 68 μg/dL,
P = 0.010).
Conclusions:Serum zinc deficiency was found in 68.1% of patients with gastric cancer and was highly correlated with serum albumin and age. Serum zinc levels reached the lowest value at 3 to 6 months after gastrectomy. It is important for physicians to take zinc supplementation into consideration when they manage patients with gastric cancer.
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