CORRELATION BETWEEN DIETARY SELENIUM INTAKE AND CHANGES IN FAT-FREE MASS INDEX AND HANDGRIP STRENGTH IN HEAD-AND-NECK CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHEMORADIATION THERAPY

NADIYAH WIJAYANTHIE; WIJI LESTARI; DIYAH EKA ANDAYANI; JERRY MARATIS

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i12.56755

Authors

NADIYAH WIJAYANTHIE Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia-Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia.
WIJI LESTARI Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia-Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia.
DIYAH EKA ANDAYANI Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia-Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia.
JERRY MARATIS Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy, Universitas Esa Unggul, Jakarta, Indonesia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i12.56755

Keywords:

Head and neck cancer, Chemoradiation, Dietary selenium intake, Handgrip strength, Fat-free mass index

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between dietary selenium intake in fat-free mass index (FFMI) and handgrip strength among head-and-neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation therapy.

Methods: A 2-week prospective cohort study was conducted at the Radiotherapy Unit of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital. Dietary selenium intake was estimated using the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. FFMI was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (seca mBCA 525) and handgrip strength (HGS) using a Jamar dynamometer.

Results: Fifty-three patients (median age 49 years) were included. Median dietary selenium intake was 81.3 μg/day. No significant correlation was observed between dietary selenium intake and changes in FFMI or HGS after adjustment for confounders. A weak correlation was found in the non-active hand (p=0.045), which should be interpreted with caution due to the short duration of observation and possible confounding.

Conclusion: Within this short 2-week observation, dietary selenium intake was not significantly associated with changes in FFMI or HGS. The borderline finding in the non-active hand is likely an anomalous result and should be interpreted with caution. Longer-term studies with biomarker assessments are warranted.

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