Relationship between Serum Levels of Selenium and Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Thyroid cancer is one of the most malignant tumors and a serious threat to human health. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that is critical for thyroid function. Since the relationship between Se and thyroid cancer remains unclear, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the relationship. A total of five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane library) were searched for case-control studies and cohort studies on serum levels of Se and thyroid cancer published up to 13 July 2022. Seven articles consisting of 10 case-control studies and comprised of 2,205 subjects met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. From the 10 selected studies, pooled analysis indicated that thyroid cancer patients had lower serum levels of Se than healthy controls [standardized mean difference = −1.25, 95% confidence interval = (−2.07, −0.44), P = 0.003]. Our meta-analysis supports a significant relationship between serum levels of Se and thyroid cancer.

Author Contributions

Runhua Hao and Lanlan Gui contributed to the content and study design conception; the manuscript was drafted by Runhua Hao; data extraction and analyses were carried out by Runhua Hao and Ping Yu; Niannian Wang revised the manuscript; review of the initial and final drafts was performed by Da Pan; Shaokang Wang designed and supervised the study. All the authors were informed of the content of the manuscript and agreed to submission.

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The project was funded by the Danone Dietary Nutrition Research and Education Foundation (No. DIC2020-08).