Study of Selenium Status in Grave’s Disease Patients
Mohamed Reda Halawa, Manal Mohamed Abo-Shadi, Dina Ahmed Marawan, Mai Ahmed Abdel-Maksoud Moustafa El kateb- General Medicine
Abstract
Background
Grave’s disease is one of the common autoimmune diseases, it affects thyroid gland causing hyperthyroidism and goiter. It also affects eyes, and rarely skin and bones. Multiple etiological factors contribute to its pathogenesis as gender, smoking, stress, iodine status, vitamin D level and selenium status. In addition, genetic and immunological factors are also suggested. GD is presented by variety of clinical signs and symptoms including hyperthyroidism picture, goiter, eyes affection (GO), menstrual irregularities, cognitive changes, thyroid acropachy and dermopathy. Its management plan is variable and should be tailored according to each patient’s clinical presentation and personal preference. This may include antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine, surgery, and other supportive measures. Grave’s ophthalmopathy may be a sight- threatening complication of GD. Early detection and management are essential to avoid irreversible damage to eye structure and function. The activity and severity of GO were graded according to many algorithms to help assessment of patient’s case and management plan.
Aim of the Work
To evaluate the selenium status in Grave’s disease patients, in comparison to healthy subjects in Egypt.
Patients and Methods
This is a case control study that was conducted on 80 subjects; Group (A): 40 patients diagnosed with GD and Group (B): 40 healthy control subjects at Endocrinology clinic at Ain Shams university hospitals in the period between December 2020 and June 2021. All the included GD patients suffered from GO.
Results
Our study interpreted a statistically significant diagnostic ability of selenoprotein P in detection of Grave’s disease as with 100% sensitivity, 62.5% specificity and a cut off value of ≤ 37.
Conclusion
Our study interpreted that selenoprotein P ―as a marker of selenium status‖ is significantly lower in GD patients. GO activity and severity were not correlated to selenium status. Free T4 can be used for prediction of selenoprotein p level which increased by 1.32 in each unit Free T4 increase.