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Search review questions

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. Every word you type has to appear somewhere in the question, and the closest matches are ranked first.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

75,239 questions in 5,342 reviews

current versions
No studies 15,213 · 20.2%Ungraded 10,323 · 13.7%Very low 17,528 · 23.3%Low 17,951 · 23.9%Moderate 11,190 · 14.9%High 3,034 · 4%

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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Breastfeeding (post cleft-lip surgery) vs Spoon-feeding
Adverse events (wound dehiscence; lip scar hypertrophy) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · post-surgery
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
Adverse events: one wound dehiscence and one hypertrophy of the lip scar, both in spoon-fed infants (Darzi 1996).1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Cryotherapy (ice chips) vs No treatment
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.53 [0.31, 0.91]5 studiesUngraded
Chlorhexidine vs Cryotherapy (ice chips)
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.76, 1.41]1 study · 133 participantsUngraded
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Length of hospital stay (days) · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD -1.40 [-1.92, -0.88]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste)
Fluorosis (adverse effect; % of children with fluorotic teeth) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline)
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane
Summary of findings 2 lists fluorosis (% of children with fluorotic teeth) as 'See comment / Not estimable / Not estimated'; no included study reported fluorosis for the fluoride supplements versus topical fluoride…NRNo studies
Physostigmine gel (1.8 mg) vs Placebo gel
Xerostomia (VAS mouth dryness, AUC over 180 min) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Khosravani 2009 (crossover, low risk of bias, n=17): reduction in oral dryness (VAS area-under-curve over first 180 minutes) after 1.8 mg physostigmine gel; reported graphically, not usable for meta-analysis.1 study · 17 participantsUngraded
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs Topical fluoride (fluoride rinse, varnish or toothpaste)
Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 96 months
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane
PF 0.21 [0.04, 0.38]1 studyUngraded
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 6 years, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 6 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.72 [0.67, 0.76]2 studiesUngraded
Commercial mouthcare system (Biotene Oral Balance / Xerostom) vs Usual care or CMC-based control
Quality of life (xerostomia-related) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Ship 2007 reported xerostomia-related quality of life; no usable comparative data.1 studyUngraded
Benzydamine vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.55 [0.38, 0.82]1 study · 81 participantsUngraded
Allopurinol mouthrinse vs Placebo/no treatment
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.66 [0.5, 0.86]2 studiesUngraded
Prostaglandin vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.95 [0.81, 1.11]1 study · 83 participantsUngraded
Mucoadhesive disk (carbomer/triglycerides + antimicrobial agents) vs Placebo disk
Salivary flow · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
No difference in salivary flow rates between active and placebo disks.1 studyUngraded
Mucin-containing lozenge vs Placebo lozenge
Patient preference · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Patient preference strongly favoured the mucin lozenge (P < 0.001, binomial test).1 study · 42 participantsUngraded
Chinese herbs (medicine) vs Control (Dobell's solution)
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.27 [0.09, 0.77]1 study · 147 participantsUngraded
Zinc sulphate vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.36 [0.18, 0.71]1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 1 year, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 1 year
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.86 [0.59, 0.98]3 studiesUngraded
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse)
Economic and resource cost of flossing · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease)
Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane
Not reported. No included study measured the economic or resource cost of flossing; the review notes it may be important to measure in future trials.0 studiesNo studies
G-CSF vs Placebo/no treatment
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.81 [0.51, 1.3]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
ART sealant using high-viscosity glass ionomer (press-finger technique) vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Sealant retention (partially and fully retained) · Pits and fissures of permanent (posterior) teeth · 1 year, partially and fully retained high-viscosity glass-ionomer ART sealants in permanent dentitions, 1 year
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.75 [0.51, 0.91]3 studiesUngraded
Allopurinol mouthrinse vs Placebo/no treatment
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.77 [0.5, 1.19]4 studiesUngraded
Buffered 'Prophylin' prophylactic gel vs Placebo (unbuffered gel / water)
Salivary flow (salivary secretion rate) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Attempts to measure saliva secretion failed because the elderly participants were unable to co-operate.1 study · 14 participantsUngraded
Amifostine vs Placebo/no treatment
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.75 [0.58, 0.96]6 studiesUngraded
Arthroscopy vs Open surgery
Tenderness on palpation in TMJ (clinical evaluation, 12 months) · Adults (older than 18 years) with a temporomandibular disorder (synovitis, disc displacement with or without… · 12 months
Arthroscopy for temporomandibular disorders (2011) · Cochrane
Peto OR 0.65 [0.10, 4.04]2 studies · 40 participantsUngraded
Keratinocyte GF vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.72 [0.58, 0.9]6 studies · 559 participantsLow
Intestinal trefoil factor vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.52 [0.35, 0.79]1 study · 99 participantsUngraded
Chlorhexidine vs Cryotherapy (ice chips)
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 1.13 [0.64, 1.97]1 study · 133 participantsUngraded
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse)
Gingivitis (Loe-Silness/bleeding indices; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 1 month
Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane
SMD -0.36 [-0.66, -0.05]7 studies · 489 participantsVery low
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) vs No fluoride supplement (placebo or no treatment)
Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (DMFS) · Children and adolescents (aged 16 years or less at baseline) · 55 months
Fluoride supplements (tablets, drops, lozenges or chewing gums) for preventing dental caries in children (2011) · Cochrane
PF 0.25 [0.12, 0.38]1 studyUngraded
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Salinum linseed oil spray
Xerostomia (oral dryness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Andersson 1995 (crossover, n=20): more participants experienced a reduction in oral dryness with linseed (Salinum) spray than with CMC spray; crossover data not accounted for, no usable estimate.1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Chewing gum vs No chewing gum
Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 1.16 [0.82, 1.64]1 study · 140 participantsUngraded
Povidone vs Water
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studiesUngraded
Passive maxillary/obturating plate (worn until surgical closure of soft palate) vs No plate
Head circumference (cm) · Infants up to 6 months (from term) born with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate (Pierre Robin sequence or… · 12 months
Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and… (2011) · Cochrane
MD 0.25 [-1.03, 1.53]1 study · 32 participantsUngraded
Multiple-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with multiple-surface cavities · 5 years, multiple-surface permanent posterior teeth, 5 years
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.77 [0.56, 0.92]1 studyUngraded
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone
Radiographic assessment: coronal bone volume (cm3) · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
MD 42.62 [20.99, 64.25]1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Zinc sulphate vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.88 [0.69, 1.11]1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Dental stent vs No treatment
Oral mucositis (severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.7 [0.28, 1.75]1 study · 43 participantsUngraded
GM-CSF vs Sucralfate
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.96 [0.8, 1.14]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Amifostine vs Placebo/no treatment
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.95 [0.91, 0.99]3 studies · 430 participantsModerate
Artificial bone graft: InFuse (collagen matrix) impregnated with rhBMP-2 vs Traditional iliac crest cancellous bone graft
Postoperative complication: persistent oronasal fistula · Skeletally mature patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and an alveolar cleft defect (>5 years; mean age 16.1…
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.19 [0.01, 3.23]1 study · 21 participantsUngraded
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse)
Interproximal caries · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease)
Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane
Not estimable (0 studies). See comment: No included study assessed caries as an outcome.0 studiesNo studies
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse)
Plaque (0-5 scale; SMD) · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease) · 6 months
Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane
SMD -0.06 [-0.23, 0.12]3 studies · 487 participantsUngraded
Various saliva stimulants (chewable tablet, lozenges, chewing gum, CMC mouthrinse/sprays; 8-arm) vs Saliva substitutes / other products
Xerostomia (dry mouth relief) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
Bjornstrom 1990 (8-arm crossover, high risk of bias, 106 enrolled, 55 used all 8 products): all products relieved dry mouth and difficulty talking/swallowing 'to some extent'; V6 chewing gum and Salivin lozenge ranked…1 study · 106 participantsUngraded
Benzydamine vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.67 [0.47, 0.97]1 study · 36 participantsUngraded
Traditional iliac bone graft plus fibrin glue vs Traditional iliac bone graft alone
Postoperative complication: wound infection · Patients aged 7 to 16 years with unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (alveolar cleft) · At least 3 months
Secondary bone grafting for alveolar cleft in children with cleft lip or cleft lip and palate (2011) · Cochrane
RR 3.23 [0.14, 100]1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
Laser (low level) vs Placebo/sham/no treatment
Oral mucositis (moderate to severe) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.64 [0.38, 1.08]2 studiesUngraded
Flossing plus toothbrushing (self-performed; manual or automated floss) vs Toothbrushing alone (with or without a negative-control/placebo rinse)
Clinical attachment loss · Dentate adults aged 16 years or older (excluding orthodontic patients and those with severe periodontal disease)
Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults (2011) · Cochrane
Not estimable (0 studies). SoF comment reads (verbatim) 'No included study assessed calculus as an outcome' (apparent copy-paste typo in the clinical attachment loss row; no study assessed clinical attachment loss).0 studiesNo studies
Single-surface ART restoration using high-viscosity glass ionomer vs None (single-arm survival proportion; no comparator)
Restoration survival · Permanent posterior teeth with single-surface cavities · 1 year, single-surface permanent posterior teeth, 1 year
Survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) sealants and restorations: a meta-analysis. (2011)
Proportion 0.96 [0.94, 0.97]15 studiesUngraded
Oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) spray vs Saliveeze (aqueous electrolyte) spray
Xerostomia (mouth dryness scale) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's…
Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane
SMD 0.77 [0.38, 1.15]2 studiesUngraded
Traumeel vs Placebo
Oral mucositis (any severity) · Patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies · Median 28 days
Interventions for preventing oral mucositis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2011) · Cochrane
RR 0.71 [0.49, 1.05]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded