The Relationship between the Serum Level of Selenium and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia: A Comparative Study in a Population of Nigerian Women

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between the serum level of selenium and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia<br />(CIN). Methods: A case controlled study that compared the serum level of selenium in 45 women with CIN (cases) to<br />45 women (age matched controls) with normal cervical cytology. Socio-demographic data and information on known<br />risk factors for cervical cancer among the sample was compared between both groups using inferential statistics.<br />Results: There was no significant difference in the mean selenium values between the cases and controls [p- 0.076,<br />95% CI (-15.08 – 0.76)]. However, subgroup analysis showed a statistically significant difference between patients<br />with normal cervical cytology, CIN I, II and III (p= 0.021). In addition, there was also significant difference in the<br />selenium level between women with normal cervical cytology and CIN III (p value = 0.016) with a significant inverse<br />linear trend (p= 0.025). Conclusion: With increasing severity of CIN, a significant reduction in the level of selenium<br />in serum was observed. This reducing value of serum selenium, a surrogate marker for increased oxidative stress, may<br />be important factor for the development of persistent HPV infection and in particular high grade CIN III lesions. This<br />observation requires further research.