Zinc as a Biomarker of Nutritional Status and Clinical Burden in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa: Implications for Preventive Monitoring

TL;DR

This study shows that low zinc levels are common in RDEB patients and linked to complications like anemia and inflammation, suggesting the need for regular zinc monitoring.

Contribution

The study proposes a revised zinc cutoff for identifying RDEB patients at risk of complications and highlights zinc as a potential target for preventive care.

Findings

Zinc deficiency was found in 35% of RDEB patients and increased with age and disease severity.

Low zinc levels were strongly associated with anemia, inflammation, and growth impairment.

Serum albumin was identified as the strongest determinant of zinc levels in RDEB patients.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a severe congenital genodermatosis characterized by skin and mucosa fragility, chronic inflammation, recurrent infections and high nutritional demands due to increased metabolism and epithelial barrier-related losses, placing patients at risk of zinc deficiency. We aimed to investigate the clinical relevance and biochemical determinants of zinc deficiency as a potentially modifiable contributor to disease burden in RDEB. Methods: In this cross-sectional study (n = 84), serum zinc levels were analyzed in association with sex, age, disease severity, percentage of body surface area (BSA) affected, inflammatory markers, infection burden, and common clinical complications including anemia and growth impairment. Results: Zinc deficiency, defined as levels below 670 µg/L, was identified in 35% of patients and became more frequent after age 5 and during adulthood, particularly among those with more severe disease. Deficiency was strongly associated with anemia, inflammation, infection burden, growth impairment, and extensive skin involvement. A revised cutoff of 780 µg/L is proposed, showing improved diagnostic performance for identifying patients at risk of systemic complications, and offering a more suitable threshold for starting preventive supplementation. Multivariate logistic modeling confirmed that low serum zinc independently predicted anemia risk, alongside transferrin saturation and C- reactive protein levels. Serum albumin was identified as the strongest determinant of zinc levels, partially mediating the effects of inflammation and skin involvement. Conclusions: These findings identify serum zinc as a clinically relevant marker of nutritional status and complication burden in RDEB. While no causal or therapeutic effects can be inferred from this cross-sectional study, the strong and biologically plausible associations observed suggest a rationale for systematic monitoring and correction of zinc deficiency as part of comprehensive supportive care, and warrant prospective studies to assess clinical benefit.

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