PD193 - ASSOCIATION OF ZINC DEFICIENCY WITH DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND OTHER MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES.

PD193

ASSOCIATION OF ZINC DEFICIENCY WITH DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND OTHER MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES.

S. AMAR^1,*, J. J. RAPOSO LÓPEZ¹, S. GONZÁLEZ CASTAÑAR¹, M. S. TAPIA SANCHIZ¹, G. MARTÍNEZ TRASCASA¹, L. GONZÁLEZ VALLEJO¹, V. NAVAS MORENO¹

¹ENDOCRINOLOGY AND NUTRITION, HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO LA PRINCESA, MADRID, Spain

Rationale: Zinc is an essential micronutrient involved in enzymatic processes, gene expression, and immune function. Zinc deficiency is highly prevalent, often underdiagnosed, and may coexist with other micronutrient deficiencies. This study assessed the association between zinc deficiency and demographic factors (age, sex) and other micronutrient deficiencies (ferritin, folate, vitamin B12).

Methods: We conducted a single-centre cross-sectional study using outpatient laboratory data (2020–2025). High-risk populations for zinc deficiency (e.g. malabsorptive disease) were excluded to avoid overestimating associations with other deficiencies. A total of 8.237 adult analyses were included. Zinc, ferritin, vitamin B12 and folate levels were collected. Deficiencies were defined using laboratory reference cut-offs. Univariable and multivariable analyses, including a logistic regression model to identify independent factors associated with zinc deficiency, were performed.

Results: Among participants, 40.65% were women; median age was 61 years. Zinc deficiency prevalence was 43.33%. Patients with zinc deficiency were older (61.5 vs 56.6 years, p<0.001). In univariable analyses, zinc deficiency was associated with ferritin (18.6% vs 16.3%, OR1.17, p=0.007), vitamin B12 (4.87% vs 3.75%, OR1.31, p=0.015), and folate deficiency (4.63% vs 2.86%, OR1.61, p<0.001), but not with sex. In multivariable analysis, age (OR1.02, p<0.001), ferritin deficiency (OR1.27, p<0.001) and folate deficiency (OR1.88, p<0.001) remained independently associated with zinc deficiency, whereas vitamin B12 deficiency was not (OR1.17, p=0.166).

Conclusion: Zinc deficiency was independently associated with ferritin and folate deficiencies, with 88% higher odds of folate depletion in patients with zinc deficiency. These findings highlight the coexistence of micronutrient deficiencies and support targeted nutritional screening in outpatient populations.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared