Selenium Levels in Patients With Abdominal Aneurysm

Selenium Levels in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Retrospective study comparing the selenium level in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm with the selenium level in patients in the control group, i.e., patients without aneurysmal changes of the abdominal aorta.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Abdominal Aneurysm; Selenium Deficiency

Detailed Description

Selenium (Se), incorporated into selenocysteine, is an essential component of selenoproteins. These proteins play a crucial role in vascular protection by reducing oxidative stress, regulating inflammation, supporting endothelial nitric oxide signalling, and maintaining smooth muscle cell homeostasis. Insufficient selenoprotein activity contributes to vascular dysfunction and weakening of the vessel wall.

The aim of this project is to investigate a potential association between reduced selenium levels and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) of degenerative origin.

The study group will include 20 individuals with an abdominal aortic aneurysm measuring at least 35 millimeters in diameter, verified by a radiologist using standard diagnostic imaging methods (ultrasound, CT angiography, or digital subtraction angiography). The control group will comprise 20 individuals without an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Selenium blood levels will be measured in both groups, and the relationship between selenium status and the presence of AAA will be evaluated using biostatistical analysis.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 40

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Slovakia
  • Bratislava, Slovakia, 85107
    • University Hospital Bratislava

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study group comprises of 40 subjects. Twenty are cases, these are patients with AAA that was confirmed by radiology. The AAA was not treated by surgery or endovascular intervention. The are followed for the AAA by vascular surgery outpatient office. Controls are twenty persons without AAA, as confirmed by ultrasonography. They are followed by vascular surgery outpatient office for other vascular diseases. Both cases and controls are taken a blood sample, in which blood selenium level is established. Odds ratio will be calculated of having low than normal blood selenium levels in cases versus controls.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• cases - patients with AAA (confirmed by radiology) followed by vascular surgery outpatient office that signed informed consent. The AAA was not treated by surgery or endovascular intervention
• controls - people without AAA (confirmed by ultrasonography) followed by vascular surgery outpatient office for other vascular disease that signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients that had AAA treated by surgery or endovascular intervention
• persons that did not sign informed consent

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Cases - persons with abdominal aortic aneurysm; Persons with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) of minimally 35 mm diameter, followed by vascular surgery outpatient office. AAA is verified by radiology, was not treated by surgical or endovascular intervention.
Controls - persons without abdominal aortic aneurysm; Persons without abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), as confirmed by ultrasonography. Controls will be recruited from vascular surgery outpatient office, in treatment for other vascular conditions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Odds Ratio	Odds Ratio - odds of having lower than normal selenium levels in cases compared to the same odds in controls	From enrollment to 12 months after enrollment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Comenius University
• Collaborators: University Hospital Bratislava

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 15, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 15, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 15, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): November 19, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 19, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 15, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: abdominal aortic aneurysm; selenium deficiency
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Aortic Diseases; Aneurysm; Aortic Aneurysm; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal
• Other Study ID Numbers: EK 1/11/2024

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No