Are men with low selenium levels at increased risk of prostate cancer?

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #male #nails #prostatic-neoplasms #regression-analysis

Are men with low selenium levels at increased risk of prostate cancer?

Brinkman et al., 2006 | Eur J Cancer | Meta Analysis

Citation

Brinkman Maree, Reulen Raoul C, ... Zeegers Maurice P. Are men with low selenium levels at increased risk of prostate cancer?. Eur J Cancer. 2006-Oct;42(15):2463-71

Abstract

A meta-analysis was undertaken to quantitatively determine if men with low selenium levels were at increased risk of prostate cancer. PubMed, EMBASE and current contents were searched to identify relevant studies. The effect size was calculated by pooling the mean difference for serum, plasma and toenail selenium levels (95% confidence intervals) separately and combined using a random effects model. Meta-regression analysis explored possible sources of heterogeneity. Twenty epidemiologic studies were selected. Mean differences were: -5.55 microg/l (-9.82; -1.27; p=0.01), -0.01 microg/g (-0.03; 0.006; p=0.19), -0.52 microg/l (-4.63; 3.58; p=0.80) for serum, toenail and plasma studies, respectively. Overall, the pooled standardized mean difference between cases and controls was; -0.23 (-0.40; -0.05; p=0.01) indicating a possible inverse association between selenium levels and risk of prostate cancer. Differences in selenium levels between populations, a possible threshold effect and the relationship between selenium and the different stages of prostate cancer require further investigation.

Key Findings

Differences in selenium levels between populations, a possible threshold effect and the relationship between selenium and the different stages of prostate cancer require further investigation.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nails
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Selenium

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review
  • Vertical: selenium-cancer

Provenance

  • PMID: 16945521
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09