Association of selenium with thyroid volume and echostructure in 35- to 60-year-old French adults.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between selenium status, thyroid Volume and gland echostructure.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
In 792 men (45-60 Years) and 1108 women (35-60 Years) from the SU.VI.MAX study, thyroid Volume and gland echostructure were determined ultrasonographically. At baseline, thyrotropin, free thyroxine, selenium, zinc, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, retinol, urinary iodine and thiocyanate concentrations were measured. Alcohol consumption, smoking, and menopausal status were assessed by a questionnaire. A stepwise linear and a logistic regression model were used, adjusting for antioxidant vitamins, trace elements status and age.


RESULTS
In women, there was an inverse association between selenium status and thyroid Volume (P=0.003). A protective effect of selenium against goiter (odds ratio (OR)=0.07, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.008-0.6) and thyroid tIssue damage (OR=0.2, 95% CI=0.06-0.7) was observed. There was no evidence of an association between menopausal status and other antioxidant elements, thyroid Volume or thyroid hypoechogenicity. Smoking, but not alcohol consumption, was associated with an increased risk of thyroid enlargement in women (OR=3.94, 95% CI=1.64-9.48). No association between thyroid Volume, thyroid structure or selenium was found in men.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that selenium may protect against goiter. Selenium was related to thyroid echostructure, suggesting it may also protect against autoimmune thyroid disease.
Derumeaux
Hélène
H
UMR INSERM U557/INRA U1125/CNAM, Institut Scientifique et Technique de la Nutrition et de l'Alimentation, CNAM, Paris, France.
Valeix
Pierre
P
Castetbon
Katia
K
Bensimon
Michel
M
Boutron-Ruault
Marie-Christine
MC
Arnaud
Josiane
J
Hercberg
Serge
S
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006042:Goiter / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid