Impact of Selenium Deficiency on Clinical Outcomes in Newly Diagnosed Heart Failure Patients in Japan

Previous studies conducted have reported higher mortality and heart failure readmission rates in heart failure patients with selenium deficiency. However, these studies included patients with advanced heart failure, which may have confounded the relationship between selenium deficiency and heart failure pathology. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart failure patients with selenium deficiency who were newly diagnosed and hospitalized for heart failure in Japan. A total of 256 patients, who were admitted to our hospital for the first time due to heart failure, were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: a low selenium group (LS group, n=132) and a normal selenium group (NS group, n=124). Clinical features and outcomes were compared between the two groups, including 1-y mortality and readmissions due to heart failure. Among the patients admitted with heart failure, 51.6% exhibited selenium deficiency. The LS group showed a higher proportion of females (65.4% vs. 46.4%, p=0.003) and lower albumin levels (3.2 +/- 0.5 g/dL vs. 3.5 +/- 0.5 g/dL, p<0.001) compared to the NS group. The LS group had a significantly higher readmission rate for heart failure (31.8% vs. 17.7%, p=0.009). Multivariate analysis revealed heart failure patients with low selenium as an independent factor for readmission due to heart failure. Newly diagnosed heart failure patients with low selenium demonstrated a high readmission rate for heart failure.