Selenium supplementation for sepsis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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#dietary-supplements #humans #intensive-care-units #length-of-stay #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic

Selenium supplementation for sepsis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Kong et al., 2013 | Am J Emerg Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Kong Zhengdong, Wang Fei, ... Xia Zhaofan. Selenium supplementation for sepsis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Emerg Med. 2013-Aug;31(8):1170-5. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2013.04.020

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recently, several studies were conducted to investigate the effect of selenium supplementation in septic patients. However, no consistent conclusion was made. Thus, we aimed to systematically summarize the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of selenium supplementation on important clinical outcomes in septic patients. METHODS: A systematic literature search of Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted (up to August 25, 2012). RCTs were included if they reported the effect of selenium supplementation on the treatment of septic patients. A fixed-effect model was used, and in the case of significant heterogeneity, a random-effects model was employed. RESULTS: Five studies with a total of 530 patients were included. Pooled analysis showed that selenium supplementation did not reduce all-cause mortality (relative risk [RR] = 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-1.07, P = .21), hospital-acquired pneumonia (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.73-1.82, P = .55), or length of intensive care unit stay (weighted mean differences = 2.32 days, 95% CI: -0.05 to 4.69; P = .05). In addition, no significant difference was observed regarding adverse events between groups (RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.72-1.33, P = .87). CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis showed no benefit of selenium supplementation in patients with sepsis. Due to the limited number of RCTs included, more prospective multicenter clinical trials on selenium therapy in septic patients are warranted in the future.

Key Findings

Five studies with a total of 530 patients were included. Pooled analysis showed that selenium supplementation did not reduce all-cause mortality (relative risk [RR] = 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-1.07, P = .21), hospital-acquired pneumonia (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.73-1.82, P = .55), or length of intensive care unit stay (weighted mean differences = 2.32 days, 95% CI: -0.05 to 4.69; P = .05). In addition, no significant difference was observed regarding adverse events between groups (RR

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population sepsis
Sample Size 530
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Length of Stay
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Selenium
  • Sepsis
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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