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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. Words match anywhere in the field.
75,239 questions in 5,342 reviews
current versionsNo 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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Nystatin vs Chlorhexidine plus nystatin Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.82 [0.73, 4.54] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Direct composite restoration (final restoration) vs Full-coverage metal-ceramic crown Clinical failure (post dislodgement) · Participants with endodontically-treated permanent premolars restored with a carbon-fibre post (Category III) · 36 months (3 years); dislodgement assessed at 24 months Root canal posts for the restoration of root filled teeth (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.85 [0.17, 19.8] | 1 study · 104 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract vs Placebo or no treatment Death associated with fungal infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.16 [0.01, 2.95] | 1 study · 51 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Nystatin Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.89 [0.36, 2.21] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Relief of pain · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | No trial reported this planned secondary outcome for any comparison in this review | NR | No studies |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Self-reported flossing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Self assessed flossing was assessed in two studies (Little 1997; Stewart 1991); both reported improvements for the intervention groups. Little 1997: Analysis of Covariance found significant differences favouring the… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract vs Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract Good compliance · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.05 [1.03, 1.08] | 1 study · 820 participants | Ungraded |
Nystatin vs Placebo or no treatment Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.92 [0.78, 1.08] | 3 studies · 153 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Attention control (attention/contact without an active psychological intervention) Self-reported tooth brushing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: for self reported brushing only the comparison of the control group with the cognitive behavioural intervention was significant; the cognitive behavioural (psychological) intervention conveyed no… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Nystatin vs Natamycin Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.07 [0.83, 1.37] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Ledermix (corticosteroid/antibiotic pulp-capping cement) vs Zinc oxide eugenol Clinical success (survival free of symptoms) at 24 months · Adults with asymptomatic teeth with vital carious pulp exposures · 24 months Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Shovelton 1971 (Analysis 1.1): 275 teeth followed for 2 years (235 at 6 months, 160 at 12 months, 85 analysed at 24 months). Success rates 50% to 80%. Ledermix and calcium hydroxide had the highest success rates,… | 1 study · 275 participants | Ungraded |
Life (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) vs Dycal (calcium hydroxide pulp-capping material) Clinical symptoms at 12 months · Adults (aged 20 to 60 years, mean 27) with deep carious lesions in permanent teeth (indirect or direct pulp capping,… · 12 months, Direct pulp capping Pulp management for caries in adults: maintaining pulp vitality (2007) · Cochrane | Analysis 2.3 (clinical symptoms at 12 months following direct pulp capping, Life vs Dycal). Fitzgerald 1991: 151 teeth in 55 patients (analysis at tooth level, not patient level); substantial attrition (11 teeth lost… | 1 study · 151 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract vs Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.4 [0.21, 0.76] | 8 studies · 2103 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction) Plaque score · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: while the educational intervention group and the cognitive behavioural intervention group both showed significant differences compared to the control group in plaque scores, the cognitive behavioural… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract vs Placebo or no treatment Systemic fungal infection · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.1 [0.01, 1.75] | 2 studies · 71 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction) Self-reported flossing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) · 5 weeks (2 weeks post-intervention) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1991: there were no differences between the educational intervention group and the cognitive behavioural (psychological) intervention group for self reported flossing; improvements in flossing could not be… | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Toxicity (adverse events probably due to drug) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 1.18 [0.84, 1.67] | 3 studies · 871 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs No (active) intervention (usual/standard dental care or no-treatment control) Self-reported tooth brushing · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Self assessed brushing was assessed in two studies (Little 1997; Stewart 1991); both found the intervention groups reported improved brushing. Little 1997: Analysis of Covariance found significant differences favouring… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Ketoconazole vs Itraconazole Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | 1 study (Caselli 1990); no evidence of a difference; not estimable/not pooled | 1 study | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract (fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole) vs Placebo or no treatment Oral candidiasis (present) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.47 [0.29, 0.78] | 7 studies · 1153 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction) Dental knowledge · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1996: there was no difference in change in dental knowledge at post-intervention between the educational and psychological groups (both improved significantly relative to control). | 1 study · 78 participants | Ungraded |
Antifungal drugs absorbed from GI tract vs Antifungal drugs not absorbed from GI tract Toxicity (adverse events probably due to drug) · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both Interventions for preventing oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2007) · Cochrane | RR 0.88 [0.33, 2.3] | 6 studies · 2018 participants | Ungraded |
Psychological intervention based on a specified psychological model/theory (to increase adherence to oral hygiene instructions) vs Educational intervention (oral hygiene education/instruction) Self-efficacy beliefs (flossing) · Adults (aged 18 or over) diagnosed with periodontal disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) Psychological interventions to improve adherence to oral hygiene instructions in adults with periodontal… (2007) · Cochrane | Stewart 1996: the psychological intervention group demonstrated significantly higher change in self efficacy scores for flossing at post-intervention compared to the educational group (there was no difference in the… | 1 study · 78 participants | Ungraded |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Sites failing to gain 2 mm attachment (proportion) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… · >=12 months Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | RR 0.54 [0.31, 0.96] | 6 studies | Ungraded |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Aesthetics (patient's opinion) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | No data were found for this outcome (listed under 'Other outcomes: No data were found for the following outcomes'). | 0 studies | No studies |
Tongue scraping (mechanical tongue cleaning) vs Placebo or no intervention (nothing) Outcome NR · Adults (over 18 years) with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis · Minimum 4 weeks (planned) Tongue scraping for treating halitosis (2006) · Cochrane | No eligible randomized controlled trials comparing tongue scraping with placebo or no intervention were identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Potassium containing toothpaste (5% potassium nitrate) vs Control toothpaste (without potassium) Tactile sensitivity (method a, ordinal scale) · Healthy human adults (18 years or more) with dentine hypersensitivity from exposed root surfaces · 6 to 8 weeks Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity (2006) · Cochrane | MD -0.65 [-1.07, -0.23] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Change in gingival recession · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… · >=12 months Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | MD 0.26 [0.08, 0.43] | 9 studies | Ungraded |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Treatment / surgical procedure time · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | MD 23.9 | 1 study | Ungraded |
Potassium containing toothpaste (5% potassium nitrate) vs Control toothpaste (without potassium) Thermal sensitivity · Healthy human adults (18 years or more) with dentine hypersensitivity from exposed root surfaces · 6 to 8 weeks Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity (2006) · Cochrane | MD -1.10 [-1.64, -0.55] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Change in clinical attachment level (attachment gain) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… · >=12 months Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | MD 1.22 [0.80, 1.64] | 16 studies | Ungraded |
Potassium containing toothpaste (5% potassium nitrate) vs Control toothpaste (without potassium) Subjective assessment of sensitivity · Healthy human adults (18 years or more) with dentine hypersensitivity from exposed root surfaces · 6 to 8 weeks Potassium containing toothpastes for dentine hypersensitivity (2006) · Cochrane | SMD -0.67 [-1.44, 0.10] | 3 studies · 206 participants | Ungraded |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Hard tissue probing at surgical re-entry (bone gain) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… · >=12 months Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | MD 1.39 [1.08, 1.71] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Cost/benefit (treatment time plus estimated material costs) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | No data were found for this outcome (listed under 'Other outcomes: No data were found for the following outcomes'). | 0 studies | No studies |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) combined with bone substitutes/graft vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Hard tissue probing at surgical re-entry (bone gain) · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… · >=12 months Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | MD 3.37 [3.14, 3.61] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Tongue scraper or tongue cleaner (One Drop Only tongue cleaner; Tongue-Putzer scraper; polystyrene scraper) vs Toothbrush (used to clean the tongue) Volatile sulfur compound (VSC) levels measured by portable sulfide monitor · Adults (over 18 years) with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis · Immediately to 35 min post-intervention (Seemann 2001); 1 week (Pedrazzi 2004) Tongue scraping for treating halitosis (2006) · Cochrane | No summary of findings table or GRADE assessment (pre-GRADE review); narrative synthesis, data not pooled. Seemann 2001: peak VSC reduction 42% with the tongue cleaner, 40% with the tongue scraper and 33% with the… | 2 studies · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Tongue scraper or tongue cleaner (One Drop Only tongue cleaner; Tongue-Putzer scraper; polystyrene scraper) vs Toothbrush (used to clean the tongue) Adverse effects (tongue trauma, nausea) and acceptability · Adults (over 18 years) with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis · 1 week (Pedrazzi 2004) Tongue scraping for treating halitosis (2006) · Cochrane | Pedrazzi 2004: six of ten (60%) participants complained of nausea and one participant of tongue trauma, only with the toothbrush; all participants were receptive to the tongue scraper. Seemann 2001: no adverse effects… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Tongue scraper or tongue cleaner (One Drop Only tongue cleaner; Tongue-Putzer scraper; polystyrene scraper) vs Toothbrush (used to clean the tongue) Self-expressed (perceived) or organoleptic (human nose) assessment of halitosis · Adults (over 18 years) with a clinical or self-assessed diagnosis of halitosis · Minimum 4 weeks (planned) Tongue scraping for treating halitosis (2006) · Cochrane | Neither of the two included trials provided any self expressed (perceived) or organoleptic (human nose) assessments of halitosis (the review's primary outcomes); no data. | 0 studies | No studies |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Radiographic bone change · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… · >=12 months Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | Radiographic data was contained in two studies. Mayfield 1998 showed 0.6 mm gain in bone from the base of the defect in both test and control groups; Ratka-Kruger 2000 reported descriptively that only minute changes in… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with barrier membrane (resorbable or non-resorbable) vs Open flap debridement (access flap surgery) Tooth loss · Patients with chronic periodontitis (aged 21 years or older) with periodontal infra-bony defects; furcation-involved… Guided tissue regeneration for periodontal infra-bony defects (2006) · Cochrane | No tooth loss was reported in any study although these data are incomplete where patient follow-up was not complete (no events; no estimable effect). | 17 studies | Ungraded |
Intervention NR improvement in the maintenance of wakefulness test · patients with hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy Psychostimulants for hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy (2006) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 48 participants | Low |
Intervention NR improvement in the Epworth Sleepiness Score · patients with hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy Psychostimulants for hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy (2006) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 101 participants | Low |
Intervention NR improvement in multiple sleep latency test · patients with hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy Psychostimulants for hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy (2006) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 48 participants | Low |
Intervention NR quality of life scale ‐ mean improvement in total score of Short Form 36 · patients with hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy Psychostimulants for hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) in myotonic dystrophy (2006) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 48 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Complete pain relief · Patients withmetastatic bone pain Calcitonin for metastatic bone pain (2006) · Cochrane | RR 2.5 [0.55, 11.41] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Less or equal analgesia consumption · Patients withmetastatic bone pain Calcitonin for metastatic bone pain (2006) · Cochrane | RR 1.05 [0.9, 1.21] | 1 study · 48 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Adverse effects · Patients withmetastatic bone pain Calcitonin for metastatic bone pain (2006) · Cochrane | RR 3.5 [0.77, 15.88] | 2 studies · 88 participants | Very low |
Antibiotic vs control ‐ primary outcomes Prevention ‐ any AOM or CSOM during intervention · patients with the prevention of acute and chronic suppurative otitis media in children Antibiotics for the prevention of acute and chronic suppurative otitis media in children (2006) · Cochrane | RR 0.65 [0.53, 0.79] | 14 studies · 1461 participants | Moderate |
Antibiotic vs control ‐ secondary outcomes Side effects ‐ any clinical side effects during intervention · patients with the prevention of acute and chronic suppurative otitis media in children Antibiotics for the prevention of acute and chronic suppurative otitis media in children (2006) · Cochrane | RR 1.99 [0.25, 15.89] | 12 studies · 817 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Satisfaction with mental health services (consumer influence on resource utilisation) · Mental health patients Methods of consumer involvement in developing healthcare policy and research, clinical practice guidelines… (2006) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 650 participants | Low |