Randomized, double-blind trial of 220 mg zinc sulfate twice daily in the treatment of rosacea
Bamford JT
Published in International Journal of Dermatology
Methodology
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial; zinc sulfate 220 mg twice daily for 90 days; rosacea severity scores plus serum zinc levels, recruited in the Upper Midwest USA 2006-2008.
Key Findings
44 patients with moderately severe facial rosacea completed a randomised double-blind trial of zinc sulfate 220 mg twice daily or placebo for 90 days, 22 per arm. Rosacea severity improved in both groups, with no significant difference in the magnitude of improvement between zinc and placebo (p = 0.284). Serum zinc levels were significantly higher in the zinc group (p < 0.001), confirming adherence, so the null result is not explained by poor absorption. This contrasts with an earlier positive report of zinc sulfate 100 mg three times daily.
Conclusions
Oral zinc sulfate did not improve rosacea severity more than placebo.
Limitations
Only 44 completers, giving limited power to detect a small effect; the 90-day duration and single-region recruitment restrict generalisability, and the dose differed from the earlier positive trial.
Supplements Studied
Oral zinc sulfate was not associated with greater improvement in rosacea severity compared with placebo in this study.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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