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Selenium and mortality in the elderly: results from the EVA study.
N Tasnime Akbaraly1, Josiane Arnaud, Isabelle Hininger-Favier
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale E0361, Pathologies du Système Nerveux: Recherche Epidémiologique et Clinique; Université Montpellier I. Hôpital La Colombière, France. akbaraly@monto.inserm.fr
Clinical Chemistry
|August 27, 2005
Summary
Low plasma selenium levels are linked to increased mortality risk in older adults. Maintaining adequate selenium is crucial for health maintenance in aging individuals, potentially impacting longevity.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Plasma selenium levels are vital for maintaining health, especially in aging populations.
- Declining selenium levels in the elderly are a significant health concern.
- The Etude du Vieillissement Artériel (EVA) study investigated selenium's role in elderly mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between baseline plasma selenium concentrations and mortality in an elderly cohort.
- To determine if plasma selenium levels predict mortality risk in aging individuals.
Main Methods:
- A 9-year longitudinal study (EVA) involving 1389 participants aged 69-79.
- Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess mortality risk.
- Analyses adjusted for sociodemographic, dietary, health, and cognitive factors.
Main Results:
- A total of 101 deaths occurred during the 9-year follow-up.
- Lower baseline plasma selenium was associated with significantly higher mortality rates (RR=1.56).
- This association persisted after controlling for confounding factors (adjusted RR=1.54) and was linked to cancer mortality (adjusted RR=1.79).
Conclusions:
- While not a definitive longevity indicator, selenium plays a role in health maintenance in aging.
- Results align with interventional trials suggesting selenium's importance for elderly health.
- Adequate selenium status may be important for reducing mortality risk in older adults.