Prophylactic effects of zinc gluconate nasal spray on upper respiratory infection:a random,double-blind,placebo-controlled study / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of zinc gluconate nasal spray in the prevention of upper respiratory infection. Methods A random, double-blind and placebo-controlled study was conducted in a total of 901 healthy male recruits, who were randomized into 2 groups, experiment group and control group, by using a random-number table. The experiment group, consisted of 447 recruits, was given zinc gluconate nasal spray, and the control group, consisted of 454 recruits, with placebo for one month. During the course of the experiment, 61 in trial group and 67 in control group were eliminated. The incidence of upper respiratory infection, influenza-like illness, and the incidence of all the symptoms were documented after treatment for one month. Results Seven hundred and seventy-three recruits completed the schedule finally up to standard, among them 386 recruits were in experiment group and 387 in placebo group. The incidence of upper respiratory infection and influenza-like illness were lower in experiment group (26.94% and 0.26%, respectively) than in control group (34.37% and 2.06%, respectively; ?2=5.010 for upper respiratory infection, P