Back
ground Psoriasis may be accompanied by homeostatic imbalance of some trace elements such as selenium (Se) that may influence disease management. Se has antiproliferative and immune-modulating properties. There are limited data about the imbalance of Se level in psoriasis patients with equivocal findings.
Objective
Aim of the study was to evaluate serum Se level in plaque-type psoriasis patients with different severity and chronicity of disease.
Patients and methods
In this case–control study during 18 months, Se level was analyzed in serum samples of 54 psoriasis patients and 54 healthy volunteers. Se level was measured with atomic absorption method. The extent of psoriasis was investigated using the psoriasis area severity index and nail psoriasis severity index scores. Age, sex, duration of psoriasis, severity scores, and levels of Se were collected and analyzed by SPSS software.
Results
There was no significant difference in Se levels between two groups (P=0.323). Also median level of Se in patients with different duration time of psoriasis was not significantly different (P=0.157). But there was significant differences in the median level of Se in mild group compared with severe (P=0.035) and moderate group (P=0.018). There was a nonsignificant correlation between severity and duration of psoriasis with Se level.
Conclusion
Considering these nonsignificant difference, we think that Se imbalance is not probably an important factor in our psoriasis patients.