J Clin Med Res

Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, ISSN 1918-3003 print, 1918-3011 online, Open Access

Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Clin Med Res and Elmer Press Inc

Journal website https://www.jocmr.org

Original Article

Volume 15, Number 2, February 2023, pages 116-126

Symptom Profile of Patients With Post-COVID-19 Conditions and Influencing Factors for Recovery

Figure 2. The use of zinc acetate hydrate and improvement status of post-COVID-19 conditions after 12 weeks. *P < 0.05, comparison with use of zinc acetate hydrate. Fisher’s exact test. COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019.

**Table 1.** Patient Profile and Follow-Up Status in Treatment of Post-COVID-19 Conditions
Item	n	Male/female	Age (years)	Hypozincemia case	Number of cases followed up after 12 weeks
Data are mean ± standard deviation or n (%). COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019.
Overall	120	44/76	37.4 ± 12.9	53 (44.2%)	108 (90.0%)
Fatigue	56	19/37	37.6 ± 11.9	24 (42.9%)	49 (87.5%)
Breathlessness	6	4/2	40.3 ± 9.4	3 (50.0%)	6 (100.0%)
Cough/sputum	28	8/20	37.9 ± 13.8	16 (57.1%)	27 (96.4%)
Decline in cognitive dysfunction/concentration	10	4/6	33.6 ± 11.9	5 (50.0%)	8 (80.0%)
Headache	35	9/26	37.3 ± 13.1	14 (40.0%)	30 (85.7%)
Diarrhea	20	4/16	41.1 ± 12.4	10 (50.0%)	16 (80.0%)
Taste disorder	77	24/53	36.7 ± 13.2	36 (46.8%)	74 (96.1%)
Olfactory disorder	70	20/50	36.5 ± 13.4	34 (48.6%)	67 (95.7%)
Hair loss	42	10/32	37.0 ± 14.1	15 (35.7%)	39 (92.9%)
Depression	8	2/6	43.6 ± 10.2	3 (37.5%)	7 (87.5%)

Table 1. Patient Profile and Follow-Up Status in Treatment of Post-COVID-19 Conditions

Item

Male/female

Age (years)

Hypozincemia case

Number of cases followed up after 12 weeks

Data are mean ± standard deviation or n (%). COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019.

Overall

120

44/76

37.4 ± 12.9

53 (44.2%)

108 (90.0%)

Fatigue

19/37

37.6 ± 11.9

24 (42.9%)

49 (87.5%)

Breathlessness

4/2

40.3 ± 9.4

3 (50.0%)

6 (100.0%)

Cough/sputum

8/20

37.9 ± 13.8

16 (57.1%)

27 (96.4%)

Decline in cognitive dysfunction/concentration

4/6

33.6 ± 11.9

5 (50.0%)

8 (80.0%)

Headache

9/26

37.3 ± 13.1

14 (40.0%)

30 (85.7%)

Diarrhea

4/16

41.1 ± 12.4

10 (50.0%)

16 (80.0%)

Taste disorder

24/53

36.7 ± 13.2

36 (46.8%)

74 (96.1%)

Olfactory disorder

20/50

36.5 ± 13.4

34 (48.6%)

67 (95.7%)

Hair loss

10/32

37.0 ± 14.1

15 (35.7%)

39 (92.9%)

Depression

2/6

43.6 ± 10.2

3 (37.5%)

7 (87.5%)

**Table 2.** The First-Visit Test Values in All Patients
Item	n	Mean ± SD	Ref.
Ref.: reference value; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ChE: cholinesterase; γ-GT: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; TP: total protein; ALB: albumin; CRP: C-reactive protein; WBC: white blood cell; Hb: hemoglobin; PLT: platelet; LIP: lipase; TG: triglyceride; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; UA: uric acid; Na: sodium; Cl: chlorine; K: potassium; Ca: calcium; P: phosphorus; Mg: magnesium; Zn: zinc; Cu: copper; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; BG: blood glucose; VB2: vitamin B2, VB12: vitamin B12; FT4: free thyroxine; TSH: thyroid-stimulating hormone; SD: standard deviation.
AST (U/L)	117	22.2 ± 8.6	10 - 40
ALT (U/L)	117	23.1 ± 19.7	5 - 40
ALP (U/L)	117	67.3 ± 28.9	38 - 113
ChE (U/L)	117	332.9 ± 71.6	M: 242 - 495, F: 200 - 459
γ-GT (U/L)	117	33.9 ± 62.4	M: ≤ 70, F: ≤ 30
TP (g/dL)	117	7.21 ± 0.46	6.7 - 8.3
ALB (g/dL)	117	4.42 ± 0.38	3.8 - 5.2
CRP (mg/dL)	117	0.180 ± 0.663	≤ 0.14
WBC (/µL)	116	6458 ± 1516	M: 3,900 - 9,800, F: 3,500 - 9,100
Hb (g/dL)	117	13.87 ± 1.63	M: 13.5 - 17.6, F: 11.3 - 15.2
PLT (× 10⁴/µL)	117	24.53 ± 5.96	M: 13.1 - 36.2, F: 13.0 - 36.9
LIP (U/L)	116	32.3 ± 22.4	13 - 55
TG (mg/dL)	117	111.3 ± 77.6	50 - 149
LDL-C (mg/dL)	117	113.3 ± 30.3	70 - 139
UA (mg/dL)	117	5.00 ± 1.42	M: 3.7 - 7.0, F: 2.5 - 7.0
Na (mEq/L)	117	140.8 ± 1.9	136 - 147
Cl (mEq/L)	117	101.9 ± 2.4	98 - 109
K (mEq/L)	117	4.23 ± 0.49	3.6 - 5.0
Ca (mg/dL)	117	9.11 ± 0.41	8.5 - 10.2
P (mg/dL)	117	3.16 ± 0.56	2.4 - 4.3
Mg (mg/dL)	117	2.28 ± 0.17	1.8 - 2.6
Zn (µg/dL)	112	83.7 ± 17.4	80 - 130
Cu (µg/dL)	117	105.9 ± 22.2	68 - 128
eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m²)	101	88.18 ± 19.36
BG (mg/dL)	118	98.3 ± 27.3	70 - 109
VB2 (ng/mL)	93	96.68 ± 17.13	66.1 - 111.4
VB12 (pg/mL)	94	351.2 ± 198.3	180 - 914
FT4 (ng/dL)	84	1.28 ± 0.17	0.75 - 1.45
TSH (µU/mL)	83	1.72 ± 0.97	0.61 - 4.23

Table 2. The First-Visit Test Values in All Patients

Item

Mean ± SD

Ref.

Ref.: reference value; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ChE: cholinesterase; γ-GT: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; TP: total protein; ALB: albumin; CRP: C-reactive protein; WBC: white blood cell; Hb: hemoglobin; PLT: platelet; LIP: lipase; TG: triglyceride; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; UA: uric acid; Na: sodium; Cl: chlorine; K: potassium; Ca: calcium; P: phosphorus; Mg: magnesium; Zn: zinc; Cu: copper; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; BG: blood glucose; VB2: vitamin B2, VB12: vitamin B12; FT4: free thyroxine; TSH: thyroid-stimulating hormone; SD: standard deviation.

AST (U/L)

117

22.2 ± 8.6

10 - 40

ALT (U/L)

117

23.1 ± 19.7

5 - 40

ALP (U/L)

117

67.3 ± 28.9

38 - 113

ChE (U/L)

117

332.9 ± 71.6

M: 242 - 495, F: 200 - 459

γ-GT (U/L)

117

33.9 ± 62.4

M: ≤ 70, F: ≤ 30

TP (g/dL)

117

7.21 ± 0.46

6.7 - 8.3

ALB (g/dL)

117

4.42 ± 0.38

3.8 - 5.2

CRP (mg/dL)

117

0.180 ± 0.663

≤ 0.14

WBC (/µL)

116

6458 ± 1516

M: 3,900 - 9,800, F: 3,500 - 9,100

Hb (g/dL)

117

13.87 ± 1.63

M: 13.5 - 17.6, F: 11.3 - 15.2

PLT (× 10⁴/µL)

117

24.53 ± 5.96

M: 13.1 - 36.2, F: 13.0 - 36.9

LIP (U/L)

116

32.3 ± 22.4

13 - 55

TG (mg/dL)

117

111.3 ± 77.6

50 - 149

LDL-C (mg/dL)

117

113.3 ± 30.3

70 - 139

UA (mg/dL)

117

5.00 ± 1.42

M: 3.7 - 7.0, F: 2.5 - 7.0

Na (mEq/L)

117

140.8 ± 1.9

136 - 147

Cl (mEq/L)

117

101.9 ± 2.4

98 - 109

K (mEq/L)

117

4.23 ± 0.49

3.6 - 5.0

Ca (mg/dL)

117

9.11 ± 0.41

8.5 - 10.2

P (mg/dL)

117

3.16 ± 0.56

2.4 - 4.3

Mg (mg/dL)

117

2.28 ± 0.17

1.8 - 2.6

Zn (µg/dL)

112

83.7 ± 17.4

80 - 130

Cu (µg/dL)

117

105.9 ± 22.2

68 - 128

eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m²)

101

88.18 ± 19.36

BG (mg/dL)

118

98.3 ± 27.3

70 - 109

VB2 (ng/mL)

96.68 ± 17.13

66.1 - 111.4

VB12 (pg/mL)

351.2 ± 198.3

180 - 914

FT4 (ng/dL)

1.28 ± 0.17

0.75 - 1.45

TSH (µU/mL)

1.72 ± 0.97

0.61 - 4.23

**Table 3.** Analysis Results of Improvement Factors After 12 Weeks for Post-COVID-19 Conditions
Item	Fatigue	Taste disorder	Olfactory disorder	Hair loss
*P < 0.05 Wald’s Chi-squared test. The calculation was not permitted for fatigue since the symptom was improved in all of the cases of the group treated with zinc acetate hydrate. AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ChE: cholinesterase; γ-GT: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; TP: total protein; ALB: albumin; CRP: C-reactive protein; WBC: white blood cell; Hb: hemoglobin; PLT: platelet; LIP: lipase; TG: triglyceride; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; UA: uric acid; Na: sodium; Cl: chlorine; K: potassium; Ca: calcium; P: phosphorus; Mg: magnesium; Zn: zinc; Cu: copper; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; BG: blood glucose.
Use of zinc acetate hydrate	-	0 - Inf	-	1.10	0.36 - 3.44	0.863	1.22	0.41 - 3.67	0.725	14.00	1.58 - 124.00	0.018*
Sex (male: 1; female: 0)	0.28	0.04 - 1.87	0.189	0.95	0.29 - 3.17	0.933	0.71	0.22 - 2.30	0.571	0.54	0.12 - 2.47	0.424
Age (years)	0.98	0.91 - 1.06	0.692	0.97	0.93 - 1.02	0.239	1.00	0.96 - 1.04	0.950	1.02	0.97 - 1.07	0.534
AST (U/L)	1.15	0.89 - 1.48	0.299	0.97	0.91 - 1.04	0.382	0.99	0.92 - 1.06	0.724	0.98	0.90 - 1.07	0.678
ALT (U/L)	1.03	0.93 - 1.14	0.569	0.99	0.96 - 1.02	0.552	0.99	0.96 - 1.02	0.400	0.98	0.95 - 1.02	0.328
ALP (U/L)	0.99	0.97 - 1.01	0.482	0.97	0.94 - 1.00	0.065	0.98	0.95 - 1.01	0.172	1.00	0.95 - 1.04	0.822
ChE (U/L)	1.00	0.99 - 1.02	0.838	1.00	0.99 - 1.01	0.514	1.00	0.99 - 1.00	0.300	0.99	0.98 - 1.00	0.185
γ-GT (U/L)	1.09	0.91 - 1.30	0.368	1.00	0.98 - 1.01	0.783	1.00	0.98 - 1.02	0.738	0.99	0.97 - 1.02	0.469
TP (g/dL)	0.26	0.01 - 4.71	0.364	2.81	0.84 - 9.44	0.095	2.22	0.72 - 6.83	0.166	1.00	0.20 - 4.97	1.000
ALB (g/dL)	0.23	0.01 - 6.36	0.388	4.22	0.60 - 29.70	0.148	2.25	0.43 - 11.90	0.338	1.37	0.29 - 6.47	0.691
CRP (mg/dL)	1.98	0.01 - 577.00	0.813	1.10	0.05 - 25.90	0.953	1.32	0.06 - 27.70	0.857	2.02	0.17 - 23.70	0.575
WBC (/µL)	1.00	1.00 - 1.00	0.539	1.00	1.00 - 1.00	0.885	1.00	1.00 - 1.00	0.667	1.00	1.00 - 1.00	0.495
Hb (g/dL)	0.40	0.16 - 1.01	0.053	0.95	0.64 - 1.40	0.781	0.82	0.57 - 1.17	0.268	0.77	0.47 - 1.24	0.278
PLT (× 10⁴/µL)	1.08	0.90 - 1.31	0.394	0.92	0.84 - 1.01	0.076	0.93	0.85 - 1.01	0.091	0.97	0.88 - 1.07	0.539
LIP (U/L)	1.05	0.94 - 1.17	0.425	1.01	0.98 - 1.05	0.506	1.01	0.98 - 1.04	0.589	1.01	0.97 - 1.07	0.578
TG (mg/dL)	1.01	0.99 - 1.03	0.439	1.00	0.99 - 1.01	0.842	1.00	0.99 - 1.00	0.648	1.00	0.99 - 1.01	0.801
LDL-C (mg/dL)	1.00	0.96 - 1.03	0.831	0.99	0.97 - 1.01	0.319	0.99	0.97 - 1.00	0.148	0.99	0.97 - 1.01	0.381
UA (mg/dL)	1.06	0.49 - 2.31	0.877	0.98	0.65 - 1.48	0.935	0.83	0.56 - 1.21	0.326	0.77	0.50 - 1.19	0.235
Na (mEq/L)	0.67	0.38 - 1.17	0.161	1.04	0.76 - 1.42	0.799	0.92	0.66 - 1.28	0.623	0.97	0.64 - 1.47	0.887
Cl (mEq/L)	0.98	0.51 - 1.87	0.955	1.09	0.90 - 1.31	0.398	1.18	0.93 - 1.50	0.169	1.23	0.81 - 1.86	0.335
K (mEq/L)	0.22	0.02 - 2.00	0.179	1.06	0.31 - 3.64	0.929	1.53	0.45 - 5.29	0.498	3.22	0.45 - 22.80	0.242
Ca (mg/dL)	0.33	0.02 - 5.74	0.445	1.85	0.48 - 7.19	0.374	0.73	0.18 - 3.01	0.666	3.66	0.41 - 32.50	0.245
P (mg/dL)	1.06	0.15 - 7.34	0.953	0.67	0.26 - 1.72	0.408	0.61	0.23 - 1.58	0.306	0.95	0.32 - 2.79	0.927
Mg (mg/dL)	0.71	0 - 902.00	0.925	0.60	0.03 - 13.10	0.748	0.23	0.01 - 4.43	0.330	1.17	0.02 - 79.10	0.943
Zn (µg/dL)	0.98	0.95 - 1.01	0.259	1.01	0.96 - 1.05	0.706	0.97	0.93 - 1.01	0.137	0.94	0.89 - 1.00	0.043*
Cu (µg/dL)	1.07	0.99 - 1.15	0.089	1.00	0.98 - 1.03	0.845	1.00	0.98 - 1.03	0.982	1.00	0.96 - 1.03	0.806
eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m²)	1.03	0.96 - 1.11	0.356	1.02	0.98 - 1.06	0.364	1.01	0.98 - 1.05	0.400	1.01	0.96 - 1.07	0.630
BG (mg/dL)	1.00	0.96 - 1.04	0.931	1.01	0.99 - 1.04	0.417	1.00	0.98 - 1.02	0.961	1.00	0.95 - 1.05	0.959

Table 3. Analysis Results of Improvement Factors After 12 Weeks for Post-COVID-19 Conditions

Item

Fatigue

Taste disorder

Olfactory disorder

Hair loss

95% CI

*P < 0.05 Wald’s Chi-squared test. The calculation was not permitted for fatigue since the symptom was improved in all of the cases of the group treated with zinc acetate hydrate. AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ChE: cholinesterase; γ-GT: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; TP: total protein; ALB: albumin; CRP: C-reactive protein; WBC: white blood cell; Hb: hemoglobin; PLT: platelet; LIP: lipase; TG: triglyceride; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; UA: uric acid; Na: sodium; Cl: chlorine; K: potassium; Ca: calcium; P: phosphorus; Mg: magnesium; Zn: zinc; Cu: copper; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; BG: blood glucose.

Use of zinc acetate hydrate

0 - Inf

1.10

0.36 - 3.44

0.863

1.22

0.41 - 3.67

0.725

14.00

1.58 - 124.00

0.018*

Sex (male: 1; female: 0)

0.28

0.04 - 1.87

0.189

0.95

0.29 - 3.17

0.933

0.71

0.22 - 2.30

0.571

0.54

0.12 - 2.47

0.424

Age (years)

0.98

0.91 - 1.06

0.692

0.97

0.93 - 1.02

0.239

1.00

0.96 - 1.04

0.950

1.02

0.97 - 1.07

0.534

AST (U/L)

1.15

0.89 - 1.48

0.299

0.97

0.91 - 1.04

0.382

0.99

0.92 - 1.06

0.724

0.98

0.90 - 1.07

0.678

ALT (U/L)

1.03

0.93 - 1.14

0.569

0.99

0.96 - 1.02

0.552

0.99

0.96 - 1.02

0.400

0.98

0.95 - 1.02

0.328

ALP (U/L)

0.99

0.97 - 1.01

0.482

0.97

0.94 - 1.00

0.065

0.98

0.95 - 1.01

0.172

1.00

0.95 - 1.04

0.822

ChE (U/L)

1.00

0.99 - 1.02

0.838

1.00

0.99 - 1.01

0.514

1.00

0.99 - 1.00

0.300

0.99

0.98 - 1.00

0.185

γ-GT (U/L)

1.09

0.91 - 1.30

0.368

1.00

0.98 - 1.01

0.783

1.00

0.98 - 1.02

0.738

0.99

0.97 - 1.02

0.469

TP (g/dL)

0.26

0.01 - 4.71

0.364

2.81

0.84 - 9.44

0.095

2.22

0.72 - 6.83

0.166

1.00

0.20 - 4.97

1.000

ALB (g/dL)

0.23

0.01 - 6.36

0.388

4.22

0.60 - 29.70

0.148

2.25

0.43 - 11.90

0.338

1.37

0.29 - 6.47

0.691

CRP (mg/dL)

1.98

0.01 - 577.00

0.813

1.10

0.05 - 25.90

0.953

1.32

0.06 - 27.70

0.857

2.02

0.17 - 23.70

0.575

WBC (/µL)

1.00

1.00 - 1.00

0.539

1.00

1.00 - 1.00

0.885

1.00

1.00 - 1.00

0.667

1.00

1.00 - 1.00

0.495

Hb (g/dL)

0.40

0.16 - 1.01

0.053

0.95

0.64 - 1.40

0.781

0.82

0.57 - 1.17

0.268

0.77

0.47 - 1.24

0.278

PLT (× 10⁴/µL)

1.08

0.90 - 1.31

0.394

0.92

0.84 - 1.01

0.076

0.93

0.85 - 1.01

0.091

0.97

0.88 - 1.07

0.539

LIP (U/L)

1.05

0.94 - 1.17

0.425

1.01

0.98 - 1.05

0.506

1.01

0.98 - 1.04

0.589

1.01

0.97 - 1.07

0.578

TG (mg/dL)

1.01

0.99 - 1.03

0.439

1.00

0.99 - 1.01

0.842

1.00

0.99 - 1.00

0.648

1.00

0.99 - 1.01

0.801

LDL-C (mg/dL)

1.00

0.96 - 1.03

0.831

0.99

0.97 - 1.01

0.319

0.99

0.97 - 1.00

0.148

0.99

0.97 - 1.01

0.381

UA (mg/dL)

1.06

0.49 - 2.31

0.877

0.98

0.65 - 1.48

0.935

0.83

0.56 - 1.21

0.326

0.77

0.50 - 1.19

0.235

Na (mEq/L)

0.67

0.38 - 1.17

0.161

1.04

0.76 - 1.42

0.799

0.92

0.66 - 1.28

0.623

0.97

0.64 - 1.47

0.887

Cl (mEq/L)

0.98

0.51 - 1.87

0.955

1.09

0.90 - 1.31

0.398

1.18

0.93 - 1.50

0.169

1.23

0.81 - 1.86

0.335

K (mEq/L)

0.22

0.02 - 2.00

0.179

1.06

0.31 - 3.64

0.929

1.53

0.45 - 5.29

0.498

3.22

0.45 - 22.80

0.242

Ca (mg/dL)

0.33

0.02 - 5.74

0.445

1.85

0.48 - 7.19

0.374

0.73

0.18 - 3.01

0.666

3.66

0.41 - 32.50

0.245

P (mg/dL)

1.06

0.15 - 7.34

0.953

0.67

0.26 - 1.72

0.408

0.61

0.23 - 1.58

0.306

0.95

0.32 - 2.79

0.927

Mg (mg/dL)

0.71

0 - 902.00

0.925

0.60

0.03 - 13.10

0.748

0.23

0.01 - 4.43

0.330

1.17

0.02 - 79.10

0.943

Zn (µg/dL)

0.98

0.95 - 1.01

0.259

1.01

0.96 - 1.05

0.706

0.97

0.93 - 1.01

0.137

0.94

0.89 - 1.00

0.043*

Cu (µg/dL)

1.07

0.99 - 1.15

0.089

1.00

0.98 - 1.03

0.845

1.00

0.98 - 1.03

0.982

1.00

0.96 - 1.03

0.806

eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m²)

1.03

0.96 - 1.11

0.356

1.02

0.98 - 1.06

0.364

1.01

0.98 - 1.05

0.400

1.01

0.96 - 1.07

0.630

BG (mg/dL)

1.00

0.96 - 1.04

0.931

1.01

0.99 - 1.04

0.417

1.00

0.98 - 1.02

0.961

1.00

0.95 - 1.05

0.959

**Table 4.** Analysis Results of Improvement Factors After 4 Weeks for Post-COVID-19 Conditions
Item	Fatigue	Hair loss
*P < 0.05 Wald’s Chi-squared test. AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ChE: cholinesterase; γ-GT: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; TP: total protein; ALB: albumin; CRP: C-reactive protein; WBC: white blood cell; Hb: hemoglobin; PLT: platelet; LIP: lipase; TG: triglyceride; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; UA: uric acid; Na: sodium; Cl: chlorine; K: potassium; Ca: calcium; P: phosphorus; Mg: magnesium; Zn: zinc; Cu: copper; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; BG: blood glucose; CI: confidence interval.
Use of zinc acetate hydrate	2.22	0.50 - 9.85	0.295	10.40	2.31 - 47.30	0.002*
Sex (male: 1; female: 0)	0.39	0.09 - 1.63	0.198	2.16	0.48 - 9.77	0.318
Age (years)	0.95	0.89 - 1.01	0.112	0.99	0.95 - 1.04	0.694
AST (U/L)	1.04	0.91 - 1.20	0.569	1.05	0.96 - 1.14	0.330
ALT (U/L)	1.03	0.96 - 1.10	0.421	1.00	0.97 - 1.04	0.841
ALP (U/L)	0.99	0.98 - 1.01	0.444	0.99	0.95 - 1.04	0.758
ChE (U/L)	1.00	0.99 - 1.01	0.916	1.00	0.99 - 1.01	0.890
γ-GT (U/L)	1.00	0.96 - 1.04	0.913	1.00	0.98 - 1.03	0.818
TP (g/dL)	1.81	0.33 - 9.95	0.492	0.30	0.06 - 1.56	0.150
ALB (g/dL)	1.41	0.18 - 10.90	0.745	2.51	0.47 - 13.50	0.283
CRP (mg/dL)	352.00	0 - 45,900,000	0.329	2.85	0.33 - 24.80	0.344
WBC (/µL)	1.00	1.00 - 1.00	0.393	1.00	1.00 - 1.00	0.050
Hb (g/dL)	0.52	0.27 - 1.01	0.052	1.22	0.78 - 1.94	0.386
PLT (× 10⁴/µL)	1.14	0.98 - 1.32	0.084	0.93	0.84 - 1.03	0.188
LIP (U/L)	1.02	0.97 - 1.07	0.465	1.01	0.97 - 1.06	0.630
TG (mg/dL)	1.02	1.00 - 1.04	0.088	1.00	0.99 - 1.01	0.681
LDL-C (mg/dL)	1.00	0.98 - 1.03	0.836	1.00	0.98 - 1.02	0.683
UA (mg/dL)	1.09	0.63 - 1.89	0.768	1.06	0.70 - 1.59	0.792
Na (mEq/L)	0.64	0.42 - 0.99	0.045*	1.01	0.68 - 1.50	0.967
Cl (mEq/L)	0.65	0.39 - 1.08	0.096	1.05	0.71 - 1.55	0.826
K (mEq/L)	0.58	0.13 - 2.64	0.478	4.56	0.58 - 36.10	0.150
Ca (mg/dL)	0.96	0.15 - 6.25	0.968	1.41	0.21 - 9.48	0.724
P (mg/dL)	2.73	0.57 - 13.20	0.210	1.32	0.47 - 3.72	0.606
Mg (mg/dL)	65.80	0.18 - 24,000	0.164	0.17	0.00 - 11.50	0.412
Zn (µg/dL)	1.00	0.96 - 1.03	0.766	0.96	0.91 - 1.02	0.162
Cu (µg/dL)	1.06	1.01 - 1.13	0.026*	0.97	0.93 - 1.01	0.106
eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m²)	1.06	1.01 - 1.13	0.033*	1.01	0.96 - 1.05	0.791
BG (mg/dL)	0.99	0.96 - 1.02	0.431	1.02	0.97 - 1.07	0.399

Table 4. Analysis Results of Improvement Factors After 4 Weeks for Post-COVID-19 Conditions

Item

Fatigue

Hair loss

95% CI

*P < 0.05 Wald’s Chi-squared test. AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ChE: cholinesterase; γ-GT: γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; TP: total protein; ALB: albumin; CRP: C-reactive protein; WBC: white blood cell; Hb: hemoglobin; PLT: platelet; LIP: lipase; TG: triglyceride; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; UA: uric acid; Na: sodium; Cl: chlorine; K: potassium; Ca: calcium; P: phosphorus; Mg: magnesium; Zn: zinc; Cu: copper; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; BG: blood glucose; CI: confidence interval.

Use of zinc acetate hydrate

2.22

0.50 - 9.85

0.295

10.40

2.31 - 47.30

0.002*

Sex (male: 1; female: 0)

0.39

0.09 - 1.63

0.198

2.16

0.48 - 9.77

0.318

Age (years)

0.95

0.89 - 1.01

0.112

0.99

0.95 - 1.04

0.694

AST (U/L)

1.04

0.91 - 1.20

0.569

1.05

0.96 - 1.14

0.330

ALT (U/L)

1.03

0.96 - 1.10

0.421

1.00

0.97 - 1.04

0.841

ALP (U/L)

0.99

0.98 - 1.01

0.444

0.99

0.95 - 1.04

0.758

ChE (U/L)

1.00

0.99 - 1.01

0.916

1.00

0.99 - 1.01

0.890

γ-GT (U/L)

1.00

0.96 - 1.04

0.913

1.00

0.98 - 1.03

0.818

TP (g/dL)

1.81

0.33 - 9.95

0.492

0.30

0.06 - 1.56

0.150

ALB (g/dL)

1.41

0.18 - 10.90

0.745

2.51

0.47 - 13.50

0.283

CRP (mg/dL)

352.00

0 - 45,900,000

0.329

2.85

0.33 - 24.80

0.344

WBC (/µL)

1.00

1.00 - 1.00

0.393

1.00

1.00 - 1.00

0.050

Hb (g/dL)

0.52

0.27 - 1.01

0.052

1.22

0.78 - 1.94

0.386

PLT (× 10⁴/µL)

1.14

0.98 - 1.32

0.084

0.93

0.84 - 1.03

0.188

LIP (U/L)

1.02

0.97 - 1.07

0.465

1.01

0.97 - 1.06

0.630

TG (mg/dL)

1.02

1.00 - 1.04

0.088

1.00

0.99 - 1.01

0.681

LDL-C (mg/dL)

1.00

0.98 - 1.03

0.836

1.00

0.98 - 1.02

0.683

UA (mg/dL)

1.09

0.63 - 1.89

0.768

1.06

0.70 - 1.59

0.792

Na (mEq/L)

0.64

0.42 - 0.99

0.045*

1.01

0.68 - 1.50

0.967

Cl (mEq/L)

0.65

0.39 - 1.08

0.096

1.05

0.71 - 1.55

0.826

K (mEq/L)

0.58

0.13 - 2.64

0.478

4.56

0.58 - 36.10

0.150

Ca (mg/dL)

0.96

0.15 - 6.25

0.968

1.41

0.21 - 9.48

0.724

P (mg/dL)

2.73

0.57 - 13.20

0.210

1.32

0.47 - 3.72

0.606

Mg (mg/dL)

65.80

0.18 - 24,000

0.164

0.17

0.00 - 11.50

0.412

Zn (µg/dL)

1.00

0.96 - 1.03

0.766

0.96

0.91 - 1.02

0.162

Cu (µg/dL)

1.06

1.01 - 1.13

0.026*

0.97

0.93 - 1.01

0.106

eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m²)

1.06

1.01 - 1.13

0.033*

1.01

0.96 - 1.05

0.791

BG (mg/dL)

0.99

0.96 - 1.02

0.431

1.02

0.97 - 1.07

0.399

**Table 5.** Multivariate Analysis Results for Improvement Factors of Symptoms 4 or 12 Weeks Later
Item	Odds ratio	95% CI	P-value
We employed the use of zinc acetate hydrate for hair loss because of the greater practical impact, comparing zinc acetate hydrate and zinc. We used the items with P < 0.25 in univariate analysis in the Wald chi-squared test for multivariate analysis (We used the items with P < 0.1 for analysis of fatigue). *P < 0.05 Wald chi-squared test. Hb: hemoglobin; PLT: platelet; TG: triglyceride; Na: sodium; Cl: chlorine; Cu: copper; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; TP: total protein; ALB: albumin; Zn: zinc; WBC: white blood cell; K: potassium; CI: confidence interval.
Fatigue (4 weeks)
Hb	0.20	0.03 - 1.20	0.079
PLT	0.97	0.67 - 1.41	0.891
TG	1.04	0.99 - 1.09	0.145
Na	0.84	0.40 - 1.77	0.643
Cl	0.91	0.32 - 2.59	0.867
Cu	1.06	0.97 - 1.16	0.216
eGFR	1.16	0.98 - 1.37	0.084
Taste disorder (12 weeks)
Age	0.98	0.93 - 1.03	0.384
ALP	0.98	0.94 - 1.01	0.164
TP	2.24	0.67 - 7.52	0.192
ALB	2.02	0.35 - 11.70	0.433
PLT	0.94	0.85 - 1.04	0.247
Olfactory disorder (12 weeks)
ALP	0.99	0.95 - 1.02	0.416
TP	2.76	0.62 - 12.20	0.181
PLT	0.95	0.87 - 1.05	0.336
Cl	1.14	0.92 - 1.41	0.244
Zn	0.98	0.93 - 1.02	0.300
Hair loss (4 weeks)
Use of zinc acetate hydrate	48.03	2.74 - 840.50	0.008*
TP	2.33	0.06 - 96.18	0.656
WBC	1.00	1.00 - 1.00	0.056
PLT	1.06	0.87 - 1.30	0.540
K	123.07	2.12 - 7146.76	0.020*
Cu	0.96	0.88 - 1.03	0.256

Table 5. Multivariate Analysis Results for Improvement Factors of Symptoms 4 or 12 Weeks Later

Item

Odds ratio

95% CI

P-value

We employed the use of zinc acetate hydrate for hair loss because of the greater practical impact, comparing zinc acetate hydrate and zinc. We used the items with P < 0.25 in univariate analysis in the Wald chi-squared test for multivariate analysis (We used the items with P < 0.1 for analysis of fatigue). *P < 0.05 Wald chi-squared test. Hb: hemoglobin; PLT: platelet; TG: triglyceride; Na: sodium; Cl: chlorine; Cu: copper; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; TP: total protein; ALB: albumin; Zn: zinc; WBC: white blood cell; K: potassium; CI: confidence interval.

Fatigue (4 weeks)

0.20

0.03 - 1.20

0.079

PLT

0.97

0.67 - 1.41

0.891

1.04

0.99 - 1.09

0.145

0.84

0.40 - 1.77

0.643

0.91

0.32 - 2.59

0.867

1.06

0.97 - 1.16

0.216

eGFR

1.16

0.98 - 1.37

0.084

Taste disorder (12 weeks)

Age

0.98

0.93 - 1.03

0.384

ALP

0.98

0.94 - 1.01

0.164

2.24

0.67 - 7.52

0.192

ALB

2.02

0.35 - 11.70

0.433

PLT

0.94

0.85 - 1.04

0.247

Olfactory disorder (12 weeks)

ALP

0.99

0.95 - 1.02

0.416

2.76

0.62 - 12.20

0.181

PLT

0.95

0.87 - 1.05

0.336

1.14

0.92 - 1.41

0.244

0.98

0.93 - 1.02

0.300

Hair loss (4 weeks)

Use of zinc acetate hydrate

48.03

2.74 - 840.50

0.008*

2.33

0.06 - 96.18

0.656

WBC

1.00

1.00 - 1.00

0.056

PLT

1.06

0.87 - 1.30

0.540

123.07

2.12 - 7146.76

0.020*

0.96

0.88 - 1.03

0.256