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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.
1,325 questions in 34 reviews · Oral medicine and oral cancer
current versionsNo studies 164 · 12.4%Ungraded 841 · 63.5%Very low 209 · 15.8%Low 72 · 5.4%Moderate 38 · 2.9%High 1 · 0.1%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Acupuncture vs Placebo (sham acupuncture) Stimulated whole saliva (SWS) · Adults with dry mouth due to radiotherapy (head and neck cancer) or Sjogren's Syndrome · End of treatment (4-6 weeks) Interventions for the management of dry mouth: non‐pharmacological interventions (2013) · Cochrane | MD 0.19 [0.07, 0.31] | 3 studies · 71 participants | Low |
Visual screening (oral visual inspection) by trained health workers vs No screening Oral cancer incidence · Apparently healthy adults aged 35 years or older (general population), living in 13 clusters in rural areas of… · 15-year follow-up, High-risk individuals (tobacco and/or alcohol users) Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer (2013) · Cochrane | RR 0.97 [0.79, 1.19] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment Pain reduction (VAS 0-10) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.64 [-1.91, 0.63] | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase vs Ciclosporin solution Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD 0.61 [-0.79, 2.01] | 1 study · 11 participants | Ungraded |
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo Decrease in pain · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | RR 4.29 [0.67, 27.24] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Radix tripterygium hypoglaucum tablet (THT) vs Tripterygium glucosides tablet (TGT) Partial response (remarkably effective or effective) · People with erosive oral lichen planus · Grade I (erosive and ulcerative lesions) Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 0.18 [0.04, 0.82] | 1 study · 94 participants | Ungraded |
Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD 0.47 [-0.26, 1.20] | 1 study · 35 participants | Ungraded |
Daily multivitamin vs Placebo Average mouth pain during RAS episodes · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.05 [-0.71, 0.61] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo Decrease in frequency of attacks · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | RR 4.29 [0.72, 25.39] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Patients receiving levamisole reported more adverse effects than those receiving placebo (mild stomach upset/nausea, diarrhoea, sleeplessness, dysgeusia/dysosmia), however no adverse effects were reported as requiring… | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash Dermatology quality of life (OHQoL16) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | No statistical testing of the Oral Health Quality of Life index (OHQoL16) was reported in Hegarty 2002 (fluticasone mean score 0.7 versus betamethasone mean score -0.8). | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Placebo Time to resolution of first ulcer (days) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 2 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -6.35 [-6.74, -5.96] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Rofecoxib (oral, 50 mg on first day then 25 to 50 mg per day for 4 days) vs Tinidazole (1 g per day for 3 days) Total effective rate at 4 days · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | RR 1.17 [0.95, 1.43] | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Bee propolis (one 500 mg capsule per day) vs Placebo Quality of life · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 months (minimum) Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Patients in the propolis group self-reported a significant improvement in their quality of life (P=0.03), based on volunteered statements of self-reported improvement. | 1 study · 19 participants | Ungraded |
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 3.16 [1.00, 9.93] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo Overall effectiveness (episodes, lesions, duration, pain) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Eight trials (seven high, one unclear risk of bias) compared levamisole 150 mg/day with placebo (De Cree 1978; Drinnan 1978; Meyer 1977; Miller 1978; Olson 1978; Van de Heyning 1978; Weckx 2009; Zissis 1983).… | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) vs Placebo Mean VAS pain per day · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 90 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -5.00 [-11.93, 1.93] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Sulodexide (heparin plus dermatan sulphate chains) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Sulodexide was not associated with significant adverse events. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream) Physician Global Assessment (surface of erosive lesions) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.50 [-1.39, 0.39] | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase vs Ciclosporin solution Pain reduction (VAS 0-100) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD 45.17 [8.73, 81.61] | 1 study · 11 participants | Ungraded |
Sulodexide (heparin plus dermatan sulphate chains) vs Placebo Days to resolution of pain / epithelialization; number of aphthae per month · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | The trial by Femiano 2003 (high risk of bias) also compared sulodexide with placebo. Data were incompletely presented (ranges/totals only) precluding further analysis. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Rofecoxib (oral, 50 mg on first day then 25 to 50 mg per day for 4 days) vs Tinidazole (1 g per day for 3 days) Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | No adverse effects reported in translation. | 1 study · 60 participants | Ungraded |
Vitamin B12 (sublingual, 1000 mcg daily for 6 months) vs Placebo Average duration of RAS episode (days) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -2.86 [-5.39, -0.33] | 1 study · 58 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist) Time to resolution of first ulcer (days) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 2 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -2.40 [-2.76, -2.04] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel Relapse rate when medications stopped · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Topical clobetasol gave less stable results than ciclosporin when therapy ended and showed a higher incidence of side-effects (Conrotto 2006, n=40). | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% Pain reduction (VAS) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.26 [-1.42, 0.90] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream) Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Passeron 2007: 1% pimecrolimus well-tolerated, transient burning (2) during the first 2 weeks. Swift 2005: pimecrolimus - slight burning of the tip of the tongue after applying 1% pimecrolimus… | 3 studies · 52 participants | Ungraded |
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream) Physician Global Assessment (strong improvement) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 7.00 [1.04, 46.95] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) vs Placebo Total number of new ulcers over 90 days · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 90 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -16.40 [-30.44, -2.36] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Any topical or systemic intervention vs Placebo, no treatment, or another intervention Outcome NR · People with erosive anogenital (genital) lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | None of the included studies assessed the effectiveness of treatments of genital ELP; no evidence was found for genital ELP. | 0 studies | No studies |
Vitamin B12 (sublingual, 1000 mcg daily for 6 months) vs Placebo Pain score · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -1.72 [-2.70, -0.74] | 1 study · 58 participants | Ungraded |
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo Decrease in duration of attacks · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | RR 4.29 [0.67, 27.24] | 1 study | Ungraded |
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream) Participant global self-assessment · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | One study (Passeron 2007) assessed participant global self-assessment on a 5-point scale: 5/6 participants in the 1% pimecrolimus group rated their improvement as moderate or important versus 1/6 in the placebo group… | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
Sulodexide (heparin plus dermatan sulphate chains) vs Prednisone (oral) Overall effectiveness (days to resolution; number of aphthae per month) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | A comparison between sulodexide (n=10) and prednisone (n=10) was made in a trial at high risk of bias (Femiano 2003). Data presented as ranges/totals only with no estimate of variability, precluding further analysis.… | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Any topical or systemic intervention (topical/systemic steroids, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, retinoids, anti-malarials, biologics, phototherapy, surgery) vs Placebo, no treatment, another active intervention, or a different dose of the same intervention Eating a normally varied diet · People of any age with erosive lichen planus affecting the oral, anogenital, and/or oesophageal regions Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | No studies reported this outcome. | 0 studies | No studies |
Colchicine (0.5 mg three times per day) vs Clofazimine (100 mg daily for 30 days, then 100 mg every other day) Complete remission, pain intensity, patient and physician evaluation · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | One trial at high risk of bias (de Abreu 2009) compared clofazimine (n=23) with colchicine (n=23). The number with no further aphthous episodes at 6 months was significantly greater in the clofazimine group than the… | 1 study · 46 participants | Ungraded |
Bee propolis (one 500 mg capsule per day) vs Placebo Mean number of lesions over treatment period · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 months (minimum) Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -2.6 [-7.30, 2.10] | 1 study · 19 participants | Ungraded |
Beta-glucan (1.3/1.6 beta-glucan 10 mg twice daily for 20 days) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 20 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | There was no reporting of adverse effects. | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Levamisole 50 mg three times per day for days 1 and 2 vs Levamisole 50 mg three times per day for day 1 and placebo for day 2 (lower dose) Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 16 weeks Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Two patients in each group reported unwanted effects. | 1 study | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal plus vitamin supplement) vs Placebo Number of ulcer-free days and number of new ulcers · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Forty patients were randomised to receive LongoVital (herbal plus vitamin) or placebo (Kolseth 2005). Data presented as medians with 95% confidence intervals, unsuitable for further analysis. The authors report no… | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Bee propolis (one 500 mg capsule per day) vs Placebo Reduction of outbreaks (expected vs observed ulcers) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 months (minimum) Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | The authors report a statistically significant difference in the reduction of outbreaks based on the difference between expected and observed number of ulcers (Fisher's exact test, one sided, P=0.04). | 1 study · 19 participants | Ungraded |
Betamethasone (systemic corticosteroid) vs Placebo or no treatment Outcome NR · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Table 1 (Systemic agents used in the management of aphthous stomatitis): 'Studies of these corticosteroids were not found or included in the review but are included here for completeness. They are not given orally for… | 0 studies | No studies |
Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash Pain reduction (VAS 0-100) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | In the Hegarty 2002 cross-over trial (n=22), no statistical testing of the pain score (VAS 0 to 100) was reported; it is not clear whether the difference is statistically significant (fluticasone mean score 19.8 versus… | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Individualised homeopathic medicine (two doses over 24 hours) vs Placebo Complete ulcer healing by end of study (day 6) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 6 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | RR 2.00 [1.39, 2.89] | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal plus vitamin component) vs LongoVital (herbal component alone) Number of ulcer-free days and number of new ulcers · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | A single trial at high risk of bias (Kolseth 2005) randomised participants to the herbal component of LongoVital alone or LongoVital with herbal plus vitamin component. Data presented as medians with 95% CIs,… | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal plus vitamin supplement) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Reported adverse events were minor and evenly distributed between the groups. | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Daily multivitamin vs Placebo Mean number of new lesions · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.41 [-1.85, 1.03] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Colchicine (0.5 mg per day for 3 months) vs Prednisolone (5 mg per day for 3 months) Pain at completion of treatment · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 3 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.16 [-1.18, 0.86] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Fluocinonide in adhesive base vs Placebo Physician Global Assessment (clinical signs, complete response) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 4.67 [0.24, 88.96] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Placebo Total number of new lesions over 2-month treatment period · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 2 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -4.20 [-4.84, -3.56] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |