Zinc in depression: From development to treatment: A comparative/ dose response meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials

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#antidepressive-agents #depression #humans #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #zinc

Zinc in depression: From development to treatment: A comparative/ dose response meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials

Yosaee et al., 2022 | Gen Hosp Psychiatry | Meta Analysis

Citation

Yosaee Somaye, Clark Cain C T, ... Soltani Sepideh. Zinc in depression: From development to treatment: A comparative/ dose response meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2022;74:110-117. doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.08.001

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A previous meta-analysis suggested that zinc status may be linked to depression status. However, it remains unclear whether zinc status can predict the risk of depression development, or whether the monotherapy of zinc is superior to the combination of zinc supplementation and antidepressant medications in the treatment of depression. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to clarify the impact of zinc status and supplementation on depression development and status across all available evidence. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and ISI web of science were searched, up to 14 May 2020, for relevant publications. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in observational studies, and mean and standard deviation (SD) for the change in depression score in RCTs were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: The meta-analysis of RCTs indicated that zinc supplementation significantly lowered depressive symptom scores of depressed patients [weighted mean difference (WMD = -4.15 point; 95% CI: -6.56, -1.75 point; P < 0.01)], and the improvement in depression status occurred only when zinc supplementation was prescribed as a monotherapy. The cohort studies showed that the highest level of zinc intake was associated with a 28% reduced risk of depression (RR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.82; I2 = 13.90). Dose-response analyses revealed a significant non-linear effect of baseline mood status on depression score. CONCLUSION: Current evidence from observational studies and RCT's supports the potential benefits zinc to reduce the risk of, and alleviate, depression. However, further trials are needed to confirm the beneficial effect of zinc as a monotherapy versus adjunctive therapies.

Key Findings

The meta-analysis of RCTs indicated that zinc supplementation significantly lowered depressive symptom scores of depressed patients [weighted mean difference (WMD = -4.15 point; 95% CI: -6.56, -1.75 point; P < 0.01)], and the improvement in depression status occurred only when zinc supplementation was prescribed as a monotherapy. The cohort studies showed that the highest level of zinc intake was associated with a 28% reduced risk of depression (RR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.82; I2 = 13.90). Dose-re

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Depression
  • Humans
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review
  • Vertical: zinc-mood

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09