The Association Between Selenium Levels and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 16,964 Participants (1980-2024)
Abstract
Background: Numerous studies worldwide have explored the link between selenium levels and prostate cancer, yet their findings remain inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify this association by synthesizing results from analytical observational studies, including cohort and case-control studies. The insights from this meta-analysis could significantly impact healthcare decisions, clinical management, and treatment guideline updates.
Method: This study utilized a systematic review and meta-analysis approach, conducting a comprehensive literature search across international databases such as PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase with relevant keywords. Articles were screened at the title, abstract, and full-text levels, followed by a quality assessment using the NOS checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 17.
Results: After pooling data from eleven studies investigating the relationship between plasma or serum selenium and prostate cancer risk, findings indicated that higher selenium levels were associated with an 11% reduced risk of prostate cancer (RR= 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83 - 0.95; P-value= 0.03; I square= 34.46%). When selenium dosage was considered, with doses below 70 μg as the reference, individuals exposed to 130-160 μg exhibited a reduced cancer risk of 0.85 (RR= 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76 - 0.96; P-value= 0.18; I square= 27.37%), while those exposed to doses of 160 μg or higher had an RR of 0.89 (95% CI:…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Understanding the factors influencing fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in African smallholder maize fields and quantifying its impact on yield. A case study in Eastern Zimbabwe
- Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies
- Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change
- Atmosphere–ocean oxygen and productivity dynamics during early animal radiations
- Characterization of the global distribution and diversified plasmid reservoirs of the colistin resistance gene mcr-9
- The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.