Zinc Therapy Is a Reasonable Choice for Patients With Pressure Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Abstract The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence on the efficacy of zinc supplementation in patients with pressure injuries (PIs). Electronic data bases (Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non‐RCTs addressing the efficacy of zinc supplementation compared with a control nutrition invention on PI outcomes. The primary study outcome was the healing rate of PIs during treatment; the secondary outcomes were the improvement of PI area and pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH) score. A total of 7 studies were included in this systematic review and meta‐analysis. The intervention group significantly had improved healing vs that of the control group (relative risk, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.01−2.06; P = 0.043, I 2 = 19.3%). There was no obvious asymmetry in the funnel plot and no strong evidence of publication bias. Sensitivity analysis showed that meta‐analysis has good stability. Studies showed a greater mean reduction in PI area. All the studies we included had a significant improvement in the PUSH score of PIs. Our systematic review and meta‐analysis from clinical research confirmed that zinc therapy can promote wound healing and suggest that medical staff should consider providing patients with zinc during PI treatment.