Zinc pills could help seniors fight infections after hospital stay
NCT ID NCT07672132
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a daily 22 mg zinc supplement for 12 months can lower inflammation and reduce infections in adults aged 65 and older who were recently hospitalized. Researchers will measure blood markers, infection rates, hospital readmissions, and quality of life. 220 participants will be randomly assigned to receive zinc or a control.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Zinc supplement (22 mg daily)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to reduce inflammation and infections in older adults after hospitalization.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with no phase designation. Zinc may not significantly affect inflammation or infection rates, and high doses can cause side effects like nausea.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 220 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Jun 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
May 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
65 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * above 65 years old included in ZOOM out ( clinical trials no: NCT07367412) * admittet at the medical emergency department Herlev Hospital Exclusion Criteria: * Patients receiving zinc supplements (\>10 mg daily) at time of inclusion * Patients with terminal illness (life expectancy \< 6 months, estimated by Clinical Frailty Scale ≥8) * Patients receiving parenteral nutrition (partial or complete) * Patients treated with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis * Patients known with severe dementia * Patients who do not understand Danish and patients with temporary civil person registration numbers (CPR)
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Older medical patients are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.