Selenium levels and skin diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Nutritional Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Inconsistent findings exist regarding the relationship between selenium levels and various skin diseases.
• Previous studies have not definitively established a clear link between selenium status and dermatological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze existing research on the association between selenium levels and skin diseases.
• To clarify the role of selenium in the pathogenesis and progression of dermatological conditions.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive systematic search of public databases was performed to identify relevant studies.
• Standard mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and pooled to compare selenium levels.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in selenium levels was observed for vitiligo, alopecia areata, or eczema compared to controls.
• Lower selenium levels were associated with psoriasis, acne vulgaris, chloric acne, and atopic dermatitis.
• In psoriasis, higher selenium levels correlated with increased disease severity, while no such association was found for vitiligo or alopecia areata.

Conclusions:

• Selenium levels are significantly associated with the presence and severity of several skin diseases.
• Elevated selenium levels appear to have a protective effect in certain dermatological conditions.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying selenium's role in skin health.