Changes in serum zinc levels in hepatitis C patients before and after treatment with direct‐acting antiviral agents

Aim Zinc supplementation therapy has been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, little is known about the changes in serum zinc levels with treatment using direct‐acting antiviral agents (DAAs). This prospective study investigated the changes in serum zinc levels before and after treatment with DAAs in hepatitis C patients. Methods Thirty‐one patients with chronic hepatitis C or HCV‐related compensated cirrhosis who were treated with DAAs (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir or elbasvir/grazoprevir) were included in the study. Serum zinc and serum albumin levels were measured before DAA treatment (Baseline), at the end of treatment (EOT), and at 12 weeks after EOT (Follow‐up 12). The changes over time in the serum zinc and serum albumin levels were investigated. Results The mean age of the patients was 68.5 ± 12.1 (range, 40–86) years, and 17 (55%) were women. Based on the Japanese Society of Clinical Nutrition diagnostic criteria, 6 patients had zinc deficiency (