['Previous studies have indicated that serum selenium levels are decreased in hemodialysis patients. Selenium deficiency may contribute to an increased risk for death among hemodialysis patients.', "A population-based prospective cohort study in adult hemodialysis patients was conducted. A total of 1041 patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into quartile groups according to serum selenium levels. Mortality rates between the groups were compared by the log-rank test. Associations between serum selenium levels and cause-specific mortality risks in hemodialysis patients were examined by Cox's regression model.", 'A total of 382 patients died during the 5-year follow-up period (median follow-up period, 4.9 years). Crude mortality rates in quartile groups according to serum selenium levels were 134.5, 99.9, 85.9 and 55.2 (per 1000 patient-years), respectively. The lowest quartile group had significantly higher mortality rates from all-cause and infectious disease-related death than the rates in the other three groups (P < 0.001, by log-rank test). Mortality rates from cardiovascular and malignant disease-related death were similar between the groups. A strong inverse relationship between selenium levels and infectious disease-related death was observed even after multivariate adjustment (trend P = 0.024).'] Are serum selenium levels inversely associated with death risk among hemodialysis patients?