Association of Selenium Intake and Development of Depression in Brazilian Farmers

Abstract

Introduction: Depression and deficiency in the consumption of micronutrients are a public health problem, especially in the rural population. The deficiency in selenium consumption affects mental health, contributing to the development of major depressive disorders. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate selenium intake and its association with depressive symptoms in farmers in southeastern Brazil.Material and Methods: Epidemiological, cross-sectional, and analytical study with 736 farmers aged between 18 and 59. A semistructured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical condition data. For evaluation of food intake, three 24-h recalls were applied, and for identification of depressive episodes, the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview was conducted.Results: A total of 16.1% (n = 119) of the farmers presented symptoms of major depressive episodes, 5.8% (n = 43) presented symptoms of current depressive episodes, and 10.3% (n = 76) presented symptoms of recurrent major depressive episodes. Sociodemographic factors associated with depression were gender (p < 0.001), marital status (p = 0.004), and socioeconomic class (p = 0.015). The consumption of high doses of selenium was associated with a reduction of ~54% in the chances of occurrence of depression (OR = 0.461; 95% CI = 0.236–0.901).Conclusion: High selenium intake is associated with a lower prevalence of depression even after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, and pesticide intoxication. The findings of this study contributed to highlighting the high prevalence of depression in rural areas and its relationship with selenium intake.

Diet in the prevention and treatment of depression - systematic review

“…Although correlation of selenium level with depression odds was not confirmed [19]. However, in this study high selenium intake correspond with lower prevalence of depression [20]. Low serum selenium level was also reported to increased Hamilton Depression Rating Scale together with Beck Anxiety Inventory in patients with correct level of thyroid hormones [21].…”

Prevalence and determinants of obesity and abdominal obesity among rural workers in Southeastern Brazil

“…Recent studies demonstrate that, in fact, apart from the problems related to the type of work activity performed, there is also a high prevalence of other chronic diseases in the field that are common to a more urbanized lifestyle, such as high blood pressure [ 28 , 52 , 54 , 55 , 65 , 66 ], dyslipidemia [ 28 , 54 , 55 ], and diabetes mellitus [ 65 – 67 ]; all conditions closely related to general and abdominal obesity [ 6 ]. Specifically in this same population, we could already identify high prevalences of multimorbidity [ 27 ], cardiovascular risk [ 28 ], hypertension [ 29 ], depression [ 32 , 33 ] and consumption to industrialized foods [ 30 , 31 ], however, obesity had not yet been studied.…”

“…This is an epidemiological study of cross-sectional, analytical and quantitative design developed in the municipality of Santa Maria de Jetibá, Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil. This study integrates, in a larger scope, the study “Health condition and associated factors: a study in farmers of Espírito Santo–AgroSaúdES” [ 27 – 33 ].…”

The Role of Selenium in Pathologies: An Updated Review

“…In the last years some studies have also showed that selenium intake and plasma levels could be inversely associated with depression [ 302 , 303 , 304 , 305 ] and anxiety [ 306 ]. This association was also demonstrated for patients with euthyroid nodular goiter, independently from the thyroid function [ 306 ].…”