Selenium is an essential trace element with antioxidant properties. Trials with selenium have been conducted in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to correct impaired selenium status and increase defences against deleterious oxidant species.
To investigate in a double blind multi-centric placebo-controlled study the effects of selenium supplementation in RA.
Fifty five patients with moderate RA received during 90 days either capsules containing selenium-enriched yeast (200 microg/d) or a placebo.
The visual analog scale, the Ritchie index, the number of swollen and painful joints, and morning stiffness significantly decreased with time in both groups (p<0.001), but no difference between groups could be identified. When examining the quality of life a significant (p<0.01) improvement in arm movements and health feeling was evidenced in selenium-treated patients.
Selenium treatment did not show clinical benefit on RA. Interestingly, the improval in both groups demonstrated a placebo effect of the intervention trial.