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

Background: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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). Conclusion: 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.