Selenium, a Notable Micronutrient: A Crucial Element in the Context of All-Cause Long-Term Mortality in Renal Failure

Abstract

Selenium is a trace element involved in crucial antioxidative and anti-inflammatory processes in the body. Low selenium status has been linked to increased mortality due to compromised immune function and heightened risk of cardiovascular events. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face elevated mortality risks, prompting the need for strategies to mitigate these events. Selenium deficiency is prevalent among CKD patients, yet the long-term implications and its association with mortality in this population remain unclear. This study assessed seventy-five CKD patients' serum selenium levels (SSL) between January and February 2020. The objective was to investigate the correlation between SSL and 36-month all-cause mortality in CKD patients. Baseline laboratory values, dialysis adequacy, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), serum selenium status, and all-cause mortality at 36 months were subjected to statistical analysis. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. Significant differences were observed in CCI between surviving and deceased groups, with deceased patients being older and afflicted with more comorbidities. SSL also exhibited a significant difference between the groups, with levels in the mortality group significantly lower than those in other patients, suggesting a potential role of selenium in predicting patient outcomes. SSL equal to or lower than 66.35 were associated with approximately 5 times higher likelihood of mortality within three years of follow-up. Our study highlights the significant association between low serum selenium levels and survival in patients with chronic kidney disease, underscoring the potential importance of selenium monitoring in this population. These findings emphasize the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to explore potential interventions aimed at improving outcomes in CKD patients.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Mortality; Risk stratification; Selenium.