Selenium Concentrations in Patients with Depression: A Case-Control Study

Evidence suggests that dietary micronutrients may be associated with depression. The role of selenium as a risk or protective factor for depression was contradictory. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between serum selenium concentrations and depression.

This case-control study was conducted from 2018 to 2020 in Shahrekord, Iran. The case and control groups included patients with or without depression, respectively. Seventy-two participants were selected using the conventional method. In addition to recording demographic variables, the blood selenium concentration of the participants was measured.

There was no difference between case and control groups in terms of mean levels of blood selenium (P>0.05). Results showed that there was no statistically significant interaction between the effects of gender and group (P=0.51), age and group (P=0.13), Body mass index (BMI) and group (P=0.52) on blood selenium concentrations. However, females had significantly more selenium concentrations than males in both groups (P=0.005).

Despite some confirming evidence for the association of depression and blood selenium concentration, this study did not show such a relationship. However, blood selenium concentration was higher in women than men in both groups.