RESUMEN
Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a chronic inflammatory disease with prevalence of 1% and may lead to disability and in some case to mortality. Selenium is a trace element with anti oxidant property. The aim of this study was to compare the serum selenium level in Iranian RA patients and normal subjects. In 56 RA patients [according to 1998 ACR criteria] in rheumatology clinic of shahid mostafa khomeiny hospital after conversation patients examined by rheumatologist and with DAS-28 and Global Functional Status [GFS] disease activity estimated and then a blood sample drown for CBC, ESR, CRP, RF, Selenium level and in control group, matching with age and gender without RA or inflammatory disease serum selenium with atomic absorption method measured. Average selenium level in RA patients was 90.76 micg/l [SD31.22] and 92.21 micg/l [SD48.65] in control group and there was not any significant difference between two groups [P= 0.889] and there was not any correlation between age, gender, ethnic, GFS, DAS-28, RF and serum selenium level but by increase of age [per 1 year] serum selenium decreased 0.865 micg/dl. there was not any significant difference between RA patients and controls in serum selenium level