Dietary selenium intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in a female population of western Algeria

Abstract

Several studies have raised possible associations between high selenium exposure and type 2 diabetes. Here we investigate the association between dietary selenium intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes in a female population from western Algeria. The analytical study included a total sample of 290 women, 140 type 2 diabetics and 150 controls. The dietary selenium intake has been measured by a 72-hour dietary recall. The odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the relationship between dietary selenium intake and diabetes through logistic regression. The quartile in the range of recommended dietary selenium intake was considered as a reference. The average level of dietary selenium intake was 72.40μg/day in diabetics and 70.30μg/day in controls (P>0.05). The odds ratio for diabetes, comparing the highest quartile of dietary selenium intake to the reference quartile was 2.21 (95% CI 1.06–4.38; P=0.036). While the lowest quartile had an odds ratio of 2.52 (95% CI 1.25–5.09; P=0.010). In conclusion, this study indicates that there is a significant association between the risk of type 2 diabetes and both high and low dietary selenium intake.