A meta-analysis of zinc salts lozenges and the common cold.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
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). CONCLUSION: Despite numerous randomized trials, the evidence for effectiveness of zinc salts lozenges in reducing the duration of common colds is still lacking.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Jackson, JL; Peterson, C; Lesho, E
Published Date
- November 10, 1997
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 157 / 20
Start / End Page
- 2373 - 2376
PubMed ID
- 9361579
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0003-9926
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States