Tweet
AUA 2007 - High Doses of Zinc Increase Risk of Urinary Complications
This week, the annual American Urological Association Conference is occurring. Though their coverage of IC is minimal this year (likely due to the BIG federal conference six months ago), they do have some fascinating new research studies that I'll share with you!
-------
High-Dose Zinc Increases Hospital Admissions Due to Genitourinary Complications
Aaron Johnson, MD, Alejandro Munoz, PhD, Justin Gottlieb, MD, David F Jarrard, MD. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Presented on May 19 2007
Introduction and Objective: 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.
Methods: In a further analysis of the recent Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), we examined the data pool for primary ICD-9 codes given for hospital admissions related to urologic problems. AREDS randomized 3640 patients with age-related macular degeneration to one of four study arms [placebo; antioxidants (vitamin C, 500 mg; vitamin E, 400 IU, beta carotene 15 mg); zinc 80 mg; and antioxidant + zinc]. Statistical analyses using Fisher’s exact test were performed.
Results: We find a significant increase in hospital admissions due to genitourinary causes for patients taking zinc formulations compared to non-zinc formulations (11.1% vs 7.6%; p=0.0003). The risk was greatest for male patients (p=0.008; RR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.07-1.50). For the study group requiring admission (n=343), the most common primary ICD-9 codes included benign prostatic hyperplasia/urinary retention (BPH), urinary tract infection, urinary lithiasis, and renal failure. Comparing zinc to placebo, significant increases in urinary tract infections (p=0.004) were found, especially for females (2.3% vs. 0.4%, p=0.013; RR=5.77, 95%CI: 1.30-25.66). Admissions for urinary lithiasis approached significance in men taking zinc compared to placebo (2.0% vs 0.5%; p=0.061; 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 taking antioxidants when compared to placebo (p=0.049; RR=0.6, 95%CI: 0.49-0.86). Subgroup analysis reveals this finding was significant for men who smoked, but not in non-smokers.
Conclusions: Zinc supplementation at high levels results in increased hospitalizations for urinary complications compared to placebo. These data support the hypothesis that high-dose zinc supplementation has a negative effect on selected aspects of urinary physiology.
-------
High-Dose Zinc Increases Hospital Admissions Due to Genitourinary Complications
Aaron Johnson, MD, Alejandro Munoz, PhD, Justin Gottlieb, MD, David F Jarrard, MD. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Presented on May 19 2007
Introduction and Objective: 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.
Methods: In a further analysis of the recent Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), we examined the data pool for primary ICD-9 codes given for hospital admissions related to urologic problems. AREDS randomized 3640 patients with age-related macular degeneration to one of four study arms [placebo; antioxidants (vitamin C, 500 mg; vitamin E, 400 IU, beta carotene 15 mg); zinc 80 mg; and antioxidant + zinc]. Statistical analyses using Fisher’s exact test were performed.
Results: We find a significant increase in hospital admissions due to genitourinary causes for patients taking zinc formulations compared to non-zinc formulations (11.1% vs 7.6%; p=0.0003). The risk was greatest for male patients (p=0.008; RR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.07-1.50). For the study group requiring admission (n=343), the most common primary ICD-9 codes included benign prostatic hyperplasia/urinary retention (BPH), urinary tract infection, urinary lithiasis, and renal failure. Comparing zinc to placebo, significant increases in urinary tract infections (p=0.004) were found, especially for females (2.3% vs. 0.4%, p=0.013; RR=5.77, 95%CI: 1.30-25.66). Admissions for urinary lithiasis approached significance in men taking zinc compared to placebo (2.0% vs 0.5%; p=0.061; 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 taking antioxidants when compared to placebo (p=0.049; RR=0.6, 95%CI: 0.49-0.86). Subgroup analysis reveals this finding was significant for men who smoked, but not in non-smokers.
Conclusions: Zinc supplementation at high levels results in increased hospitalizations for urinary complications compared to placebo. These data support the hypothesis that high-dose zinc supplementation has a negative effect on selected aspects of urinary physiology.
As for my UTI's..well no they haven't. But I hadn't had one in a long time..since my kidney stone and just last week, i had a nasty one. It made me flare, of course and it felt like i had crushed glass in my bladder. Ahhh life is good..lol
Comment