The Role of Zinc in the Prevention and Treatment of Dysgeusia in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy: A Case Study with Evidence-Based Approaches

Background: Despite its significant impact on nutrition status, there is no therapy modality proven to be effective in the prevention and treatment of dysgeusia to date. Zinc is known for its important role in the function of taste buds, however the effect of zinc supplementation in dysgeusia related to radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is still on research. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate role of zinc in the prevention and treatment of dysgeusia in head an neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Method: This study used literature search on Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest databases to retrieve SR-MA and RCT articles that fit the clinical question of this case study. Result: One SR-MA and one RCT article were critically appraised. The SR-MA of 5 RCT studies (n=272) found that zinc based therapy reduces the incidence of dysgeusia related to radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (RR 0,79; 95% CI, 0,67 – 0,92), but it had no effect on ongoing dysgeusia (RR 2,58; 95% CI, 0,97 – 6,88). Meanwhile, the RCT study (n=68) demonstrated no beneficial effect of zinc supplementation on the prevention and treatment of dysgeusia related to radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Conclusion: Zinc supplementation may be beneficial for the prevention of dysgeusia in head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy despite its finding on researchs remain inconclusive. More high quality RCTs are needed to confirm the effectivity of zinc at preventing and improving dysgeusia in head an neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Keywords: zinc, dysgeusia, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, head and neck cancer