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Meta-Analysis
. 1997 Nov 10;157(20):2373-6.

A meta-analysis of zinc salts lozenges and the common cold

J L Jackson  1 , C Peterson, E Lesho
Affiliations
  • PMID: 9361579
Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of zinc salts lozenges and the common cold

J L Jackson et al. Arch Intern Med. .

Abstract

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.

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