Serum Selenium Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Control Group

In addition to known risk factors, the role of different micronutrients such as selenium in diabetes incidence has been proposed. Some previous studies have shown an association of selenium deficiency and type 2 diabetes mellitus, while other studies have not confirmed such a relationship. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum level of selenium in patients with Type 2 diabetes compared with the control group. This cross-sectional study was carried out on patients with type 2 diabetes in Zahedan, southeastern Iran. One hundred newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were evaluated for serum selenium level. One hundred subjects from the general population who had normal fasting blood sugar levels were selected as the control group. The control group subjects were matched in pairs with each of patients on the basis of sex, age (± one year), and body mass index (±1). Serum level of selenium was determined by spectrometry method. Results were compared using t-test. The mean serum level of selenium in patients was 94.47±18.07 µg/L whereas in control group was 142.79±23.67 µg/L. The mean serum level of selenium was significantly different between the two groups (P<0.001). Serum levels of selenium in diabetic patients with significant difference statistically were lower than the control group. In order to evaluate serum level of selenium in patients with diabetes, studies with larger sample size are required. Likewise, prospective studies along with selenium supplementation and investigating its effect on incidence of diabetes are accordingly needed.