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Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.
164 questions in 26 reviews · Oral medicine and oral cancer
current versionsNo studies 164 · 100%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 0 · 0%Low 0 · 0%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Biperiden plus pilocarpine vs No treatment Survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | Survival not reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Palifermin vs Placebo Salivary flow rate · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | None of the trials evaluating palifermin provided data on salivary flow rates. | 0 studies | No studies |
Zinc supplements vs Acupuncture Outcome NR · Patients with taste disturbances (dysgeusia/hypogeusia; idiopathic, zinc-deficient, or secondary to chronic renal… Interventions for managing taste disturbances (2017) · Cochrane | Authors' conclusions: We were unable to draw any conclusions regarding the superiority of zinc supplements or acupuncture as none of the trials compared these interventions. | 0 studies | No studies |
Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin or repifermin), intravenous vs Placebo Quality of life · Adults with cancer receiving treatment Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: cytokines and… (2017) · Cochrane | No studies reported this outcome (planned secondary outcome not measured by any study in the review) | 0 studies | No studies |
Biperiden plus pilocarpine vs No treatment Side effects · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data were reported on side effects. | 0 studies | No studies |
Bethanechol vs Placebo Survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No survival data were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Amifostine (intravenous) vs Amifostine (subcutaneous) Salivary flow rate · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No salivary flow rate data related to routes of administration of amifostine were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antiseptic mouthrinse vs Placebo Quality of life · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No quality of life data were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Selenium vs No intervention Survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No survival data were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Bethanechol vs Placebo Quality of life · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data on either quality of life or other oral related symptoms were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Amifostine (intravenous) vs Amifostine (subcutaneous) Quality of life · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data on either quality of life or other oral related symptoms were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antimicrobial lozenge vs Placebo Survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No survival data were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Venalot Depot (coumarin plus troxerutin) vs Placebo Quality of life · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data on either quality of life or other oral related symptoms were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antiseptic mouthrinse vs Placebo Survival · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No survival data were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Amifostine 200 mg/m2 three times weekly vs Amifostine 200 mg/m2 five times weekly Salivary flow rate · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No salivary flow rate data related to the effectiveness of different doses of amifostine were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antiseptic mouthrinse vs Placebo Xerostomia · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data on xerostomia were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Acupuncture vs Sham control (deactivated laser sham acupuncture) Adverse events · Patients with idiopathic dysgeusia and hypogeusia Interventions for managing taste disturbances (2017) · Cochrane | Results: The acupuncture trial (Brandt 2008) did not give any data on adverse events in either group. | 0 studies | No studies |
Acupuncture vs Sham control (deactivated laser sham acupuncture) Taste acuity improvement · Patients with idiopathic dysgeusia and hypogeusia Interventions for managing taste disturbances (2017) · Cochrane | Results: There were no data on taste acuity improvement in the included acupuncture trial (Brandt 2008). | 0 studies | No studies |
Bethanechol vs Artificial saliva Quality of life · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data on either quality of life or other oral related symptoms were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Selenium vs No intervention Salivary flow rate · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data on salivary flow rates were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Biperiden plus pilocarpine vs No treatment Xerostomia · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No xerostomia data related to the effectiveness of biperiden and pilocarpine were reported (Rode 1999). | 0 studies | No studies |
Antimicrobial lozenge vs Placebo Salivary flow rate · Patients receiving radiotherapy on its own or in addition to chemotherapy to the head and neck region Pharmacological interventions for preventing dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction following radiotherapy (2017) · Cochrane | No data on salivary flow rates were reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Psychological therapies (cognitive therapy) vs Placebo Change in feeling of dryness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF8: No included study reported change in feeling of dryness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Benzodiazepines (topical clonazepam) vs Placebo Change in feeling of dryness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF3: No included studies reported change in feeling of dryness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Physical barriers (tongue protector) vs Placebo Change in taste · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF7: No included studies reported change in taste. | 0 studies | No studies |
NSAIDs (ketorolac oral rinse; systemic celecoxib) vs Placebo or no treatment Improvement of histological features (not improved) · People with a diagnosis of oral leukoplakia Interventions for treating oral leukoplakia to prevent oral cancer (2016) · Cochrane | SoF 3, Histological changes: 'Not measured'. Effects text: 'Histological changes were not among the outcomes in the studies testing NSAIDs.' | 0 studies | No studies |
Psychological therapies (cognitive therapy) vs Placebo Change in quality of life (QoL) · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF8: No included study reported change in QoL. | 0 studies | No studies |
Anticonvulsants (gabapentin) vs Placebo Change in quality of life (QoL) · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF2: No included studies reported change in QoL. | 0 studies | No studies |
Dietary supplements (alpha lipoic acid) vs Placebo Change in feeling of dryness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF5: No included studies reported change in feeling of dryness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Psychological therapies (cognitive therapy) vs Placebo Change in taste · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF8: No included study reported change in taste. | 0 studies | No studies |
Anticonvulsants (gabapentin) vs Placebo Change in taste · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF2: No included studies reported change in taste. | 0 studies | No studies |
Cholinergics (bethanechol) vs Placebo Change in feeling of dryness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF4: No included studies reported change in feeling of dryness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Cholinergics (bethanechol) vs Placebo Change in quality of life (QoL) · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF4: No included studies reported change in QoL. | 0 studies | No studies |
Psychological therapies (cognitive therapy) vs Placebo Adverse effects · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF8: No included study reported the occurrence of adverse events. | 0 studies | No studies |
Bowman-Birk inhibitor vs Placebo or no treatment Oral cancer development · People with a diagnosis of oral leukoplakia Interventions for treating oral leukoplakia to prevent oral cancer (2016) · Cochrane | SoF 6 (Bowman-Birk inhibitor vs placebo), Cancer development: 'Not measured'. Effects text: 'Cancer development was not among the outcomes of the study testing the Bowman-Birk inhibitor (Armstrong 2013).' | 0 studies | No studies |
Cholinergics (bethanechol) vs Placebo Change in taste · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF4: No included studies reported change in taste. | 0 studies | No studies |
Surgical removal of the lesion (surgical excision, laser surgery, cryotherapy) vs Placebo or no treatment Outcome NR · People with a diagnosis of oral leukoplakia Interventions for treating oral leukoplakia to prevent oral cancer (2016) · Cochrane | 'We did not identify any RCTs that compared surgical treatments with placebo or no treatment.' Three surgical RCTs were found (Chee 2013, Lopez-Jornet 2013, Schwarz 2005) but all excluded because they did not include a… | NR | No studies |
Antidepressants (trazodone) vs Placebo Change in taste · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF1: No included studies reported change in taste. | 0 studies | No studies |
Physical barriers (tongue protector) vs Placebo Change in feeling of dryness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF7: No included studies reported change in feeling of dryness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Electromagnetic radiation (low-level laser therapy) vs Placebo Change in feeling of dryness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF6: No included study reported change in feeling of dryness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Removal of predisposing habits (e.g. tobacco/alcohol cessation) vs Placebo or no treatment Outcome NR · People with a diagnosis of oral leukoplakia Interventions for treating oral leukoplakia to prevent oral cancer (2016) · Cochrane | '...nor did we identify any RCTs of risk factor cessation.' Removal of predisposing habits (e.g. smoking cessation) was a planned intervention; no eligible RCT found. | NR | No studies |
Electromagnetic radiation (low-level laser therapy) vs Placebo Adverse effects · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF6: No included study reported the occurrence of adverse events. | 0 studies | No studies |
Anticonvulsants (gabapentin) vs Placebo Change in feeling of dryness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF2: No included studies reported change in feeling of dryness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Dietary supplements (alpha lipoic acid) vs Placebo Change in taste · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF5: No included studies reported change in taste. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antidepressants (trazodone) vs Placebo Change in feeling of dryness · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF1: No included studies reported change in feeling of dryness. | 0 studies | No studies |
Electromagnetic radiation (low-level laser therapy) vs Placebo Change in taste · People with primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), that is, oral mucosal pain with no dental or medical cause for such… · short-term (up to 3 months) Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome (2016) · Cochrane | SoF6: No included study reported change in taste. | 0 studies | No studies |
Parasympathomimetic drugs (choline esters, cholinesterase inhibitors) vs No treatment Outcome NR · Patients with radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction Parasympathomimetic drugs for the treatment of salivary gland dysfunction due to radiotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies | No studies |
Oral cryotherapy (ice chips, ice-cold water, ice cubes or crushed ice held in the mouth during cancer treatment) vs Control (no treatment or standard/usual oral care, e.g. saline rinse) Number of days of treatment with opioid analgesics · All patients with cancer who are receiving treatment · Fluorouracil (5FU) treatment for solid cancers Interventions for preventing oral mucositis in patients with cancer receiving treatment: oral cryotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | No studies in the 5FU subgroup assessed the number of days of treatment with opioid analgesics. | 0 studies | No studies |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Participant satisfaction · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included studies addressed participant satisfaction (review-wide gap). | 0 studies | No studies |
EGFR monoclonal antibody (cetuximab or nimotuzumab) plus standard therapy (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) vs Standard therapy alone (radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy) Direct and indirect costs to participants and health services · People with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx · 24 to 70 months Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (2015) · Cochrane | No included studies addressed direct and indirect costs to participants and health services (review-wide gap). | 0 studies | No studies |