Association Between Serum Zinc Levels and Clinical Outcomes in Diabetic Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19: A Retrospective Study

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Zinc is an essential trace element with important immunomodulatory and antiviral properties, and zinc deficiency has been suggested to worsen outcomes in viral respiratory infections. However, the relationship between serum zinc levels and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with COVID-19 remains insufficiently explored. Methods: This retrospective descriptive–analytical study was conducted on 158 diabetic patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran. COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed using RT-PCR and/or chest CT scan. Serum zinc levels were obtained from medical records, and patients were categorized into low zinc (