Al-Mubarak AA, Beverborg NG, Suthahar N, et al. - Findings demonstrate an independent association of serum selenium with multiple indicators of the metabolic syndrome. High selenium concentrations were found to be independently linked with decreased mortality and new-onset heart failure in non-smokers.

• Selenium was evaluated in a Dutch cohort (n=5973) and a retrospective study of prospectively assessed data was conducted to examine the association between serum selenium levels and the risk of mortality and new onset heart failure in the general adult population.

• Main outcome measures included all-cause death and incidence of new-onset heart failure separately, and combined as a composite endpoint.

• Mean selenium level was 84.6 (±19.5) μg/L and median follow-up span was 8.4 years.

• Positive association of selenium levels with female gender, higher total cholesterol and glucose levels was found, while a negative association was seen with incidence of anemia, iron deficiency, current smoking, increasing C-reactive protein levels, and higher body mass index.

• In univariate analysis on all participants, there appeared no relationship of continuous selenium levels, per 10 μg/L increase, with the composite endpoint (Hazard Ratio [HR]=0.96).

• However, significant interaction with smoking status was seen.