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Effect of selenium supplementation on inflammatory markers and joint symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

  • 2025-10
  • Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS) 91
    • Manyu Long
    • Shaohong Xu
    • Songyuan Tie
    • Shuming Dong
    • Hui Liang
    • Jing Wang
    • Shuya Wang

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Sample size
n = 367
Population
367 patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Methods
Searched four databases for randomized controlled trials on selenium supplementation

Objective

The objective of this study was to further evaluate the efficacy of selenium supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, aiming to provide more reliable evidence-based support for nutritional supplementation in these patients.

Methods

Four databases, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed and Embase, were searched for only randomized controlled trials on selenium supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The search date ranged from the build date to February 12, 2025. The literature was screened by two researchers according to the appropriate criteria. The assessment of the quality of the studies was conducted using Risk of Bias 2.0. The data were analyzed in this study using RevMan 5.4.

Results

Seven studies including a total of 367 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in the study. The results showed that selenium supplementation was effective in reducing the VAS score (MD = -12.68, 95 % CI [-19.08, - 6.28], P = 0.0001) and the Ritchie index (MD = -1.13, 95 % CI [-2.22, - 0.05], P = 0.04) in patients with RA. However, selenium supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis reduced the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (MD = - 8.87, 95 % CI [-3.60, 1.85], P = 0.53), and the C-reactive protein levels (MD = - 0.67, 95 % CI [-1.43, 0.1], P = 0.09), relieved morning stiffness (MD = 0.00, 95 % CI [-0.13, 0.13], P = 0.95), and joint swelling (MD = - 0.06, 95 % CI [-0.54, 0.42], P = 0.81) but these effects were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Meta-analysis revealed that selenium supplementation has beneficial effects on joint pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, further clinical trials are needed to elucidate its effects on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, morning stiffness, and joint swelling in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Research Insights

  • Selenium→Reduced Joint Tenderness

    and the Ritchie index (MD = -1.13, 95 % CI [-2.22, - 0.05], P = 0.04)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Selenium→Reduced Pain

    selenium supplementation was effective in reducing the VAS score (MD = -12.68, 95 % CI [-19.08, - 6.28], P = 0.0001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
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