Selenium supplementation for asthma

 

Abstract

Background

Selenium deficiency may be important in chronic asthma. Observational studies have demonstrated that patients with chronic asthma may have lower levels of selenium than their control. Nevertheless, selenium supplementation has not been recommended with drug therapy for asthma. This review systematically examines RCTs that evaluated the role of selenium supplementation in chronic asthma.

Objectives

Recognition that chronic asthma can be associated with selenium deficiency has led to the investigation of the role of selenium supplementation in reducing the symptoms and impact of chronic asthma. The objective of this review was to assess the efficacy of selenium supplementation as an adjunct to medication for the treatment of chronic asthma.

Search methods

We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register, MEDLINE/PubMed, and EMBASE. Searches were current as of August 2005.

Selection criteria

Randomised trials comparing patients with chronic asthma receiving selenium supplementation in conjunction with asthma medication, with patients taking asthma medication only.

Data collection and analysis

Two reviewers applied the study inclusion criteria

Main results

One trial with a total of 24 patients suffering from chronic asthma was included. The study reported significant clinical improvement in the selenium-supplemented group, as compared with the placebo group, in terms of a 'clinical evaluation'. However, this improvement could not be validated by significant changes in separate objective parameters of lung function and airway hyper-responsiveness.

Authors' conclusions

There is some indication that selenium supplementation may be a useful adjunct to medication for patients with chronic asthma. This conclusion is limited because of insufficient studies and lack of improvement in the clinical parameters of lung function.

 

Plain language summary

Selenium supplementation for asthma

Selenium is a trace mineral, and it is thought that deficiency of selenium may play some role in the development of asthma. Some studies suggest that selenium supplementation for people with chronic asthma may help to improve symptoms. This review found some evidence from only one small trial that selenium supplementation might help reduce symptoms of chronic asthma symptoms, but more research is needed to be certain.

 

摘要

背景

硒的補充用於治療氣喘

硒的缺乏可能對慢性氣喘具有重要性。觀察性研究顯示慢性氣喘患者較對照組硒的濃度較低。然而，硒的補充從未被建議合用於氣喘的藥物治療。本回顧系統地檢視評估硒的補充在治療慢性氣喘角色的RCTs。

目標

認知慢性氣喘可伴隨硒的缺乏而引發研究硒的補充在減低慢性氣喘症狀及衝擊的角色。本回顧的目的是要評估硒的補充在輔助慢性氣喘藥物治療的效用。

搜尋策略

我們搜尋Cochrane Airways Group Specialized Register、MEDLINE/PubMed及EMBASE。目前搜尋至2005年8月。

選擇標準

比較接受氣喘藥物輔以硒的補充的慢性氣喘患者及單獨接受氣喘藥物治療者的隨機試驗。

資料收集與分析

兩位審查者應用研究納入標準

主要結論

一項共納入24名慢性氣喘患者的試驗。研究報告在硒補充組較安慰劑組在「臨床評估」呈現有顯著的臨床進步。然而，這些進步無法以肺功能及氣道過度反應的個別客觀參數所確認。

作者結論

有一些證據指出硒的補充可用作輔助慢性氣喘患者的藥物治療。此項結論有其限制是因為研究不足及未見肺功能臨床參數的改善。

翻譯人

本摘要由中國醫藥大學附設醫院陳祖裕翻譯。

此翻譯計畫由臺灣國家衛生研究院(National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan)統籌。

總結

硒的補充用於治療氣喘。硒是一種微量礦物質，有人認為硒的不足可能在氣喘的發生扮演一些角色。有些研究建議硒的補充可有助於改善慢性氣喘患者的症狀。本回顧只在一項小規模的試驗找到一些證據顯示硒的補充可能有助於減輕慢性氣喘患者的症狀，但需有更多的研究來確認。