Gap finder
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Betamethasone oral mini-pulse therapy vs Topical triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% paste Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Malhotra 2008: betamethasone oral mini-pulse - transient oedema over the face (7), oedema over hands and feet (4), epigastric discomfort (7), weakness/fatigue (5), loose stools (1), headache… | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Clobetasol-17-propionate 0.025% lipid-loaded microspheres vs Conventional 0.025% clobetasol lipophilic ointment in hydrophilic phase Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Campisi 2004: oral candidiasis (1 in the lipid-loaded microspheres group, 2 in the conventional ointment group). None serious. | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Camel thorn (plant distillate) vs Placebo Pain intensity and lesion diameter · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · up to 14 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | The authors report lower pain and smaller lesions in the camel thorn group up to 10 days after referral; a statistically significant difference in pain intensity was also reported. | 1 study · 93 participants | Ungraded |
Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Radfar 2008: burning sensation with topical tacrolimus; transient burning within the first 2 weeks resulted in withdrawal of therapy in 1 participant. | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Placebo Days to resolution of pain and epithelialization of aphthae; number of aphthae per month · 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 | Femiano 2003 (high risk of bias) reports days to resolution of pain and days to epithelialization of aphthae at 1 month, and number of aphthae per month after the first and second months; data presented as… | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Beta-glucan (1.3/1.6 beta-glucan 10 mg twice daily for 20 days) vs Placebo Ulcer severity score (USS) · 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 | MD -4.38 [-6.17, -2.59] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Camel thorn (plant distillate) vs Placebo Time to complete resolution of ulcer (days) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · up to 14 days Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | A single trial (Pourahmad 2010, unclear risk of bias) randomised 93 participants to camel thorn distillate (n=49) or placebo (n=44). Mean time to complete resolution was 4.02 days (range 3 to 7) for camel thorn… | 1 study · 93 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | Femiano 2003: one significant adverse event (gastritis) for the prednisone group versus none for placebo. Femiano 2010: more drug-related adverse effects for those treated with prednisone than placebo. | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash Reduction in target/mean lesion size · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | No statistical testing of the mean surface area of lesions was reported in Hegarty 2002 (fluticasone mean score 547.2 mm2 versus betamethasone mean score 671.9 mm2). | 1 study · 22 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 Restoration of sexual activity · 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 | None of the included studies assessed the effectiveness of treatments of genital ELP; thus, this outcome was not reported. | 0 studies | No studies |
Vitamin B12 (sublingual, 1000 mcg daily for 6 months) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | No adverse events were associated with receiving vitamin B12 or placebo in this study. | 1 study · 58 participants | Ungraded |
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream) Complete clinical response (complete clearance) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 3.50 [0.95, 12.90] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal component alone) vs Placebo General degree of discomfort · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 to 6 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.30 [-0.37, 0.97] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Sulodexide (heparin plus dermatan sulphate chains) vs Prednisone (oral) 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 without significant adverse events; one significant adverse event (gastritis) was reported for the prednisone group. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel Partial response (partial or complete response) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 1.46 [1.04, 2.04] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Bee propolis (one 500 mg capsule per day) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | Propolis was associated with low rates of minimal side effects. | 1 study · 19 participants | Ungraded |
Individualised homeopathic medicine (two doses over 24 hours) vs Placebo Mean pain score and mean ulcer size · 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 | A statistically significant difference was reported in mean pain score and mean ulcer size favouring the homeopathic group (P<0.05). Summary data not presented, precluding further analysis. | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | No differences in adverse events were reported. | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Individualised homeopathic medicine (two doses over 24 hours) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | No participant needed to discontinue treatment due to adverse events. | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream) Relapse rate when medications stopped · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | In Passeron 2007 (n=12), all participants who improved during treatment relapsed within 1 month of ceasing treatment. | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
Clofazimine (100 mg daily for 30 days, then 100 mg every other day) vs Placebo Complete remission (no further aphthous episodes to 6 months) · 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 compared clofazimine (n=23) with placebo (n=20). The number of individuals in the clofazimine group who had no further aphthous episodes from beginning treatment until completion at 6… | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Radix tripterygium hypoglaucum tablet (THT) vs Tripterygium glucosides tablet (TGT) Physician Global Assessment (cure of erosive lesions, remarkably effective) · People with erosive oral lichen planus · Grade II (erosive lesions only) Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 0.73 [0.42, 1.28] | 1 study · 94 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal component alone) vs Placebo Number of days of pain (monthly average) · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 to 6 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -3.80 [-9.39, 1.79] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Beclometasone dipropionate (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: 'Studies of these corticosteroids were not found or included in the review but are included here for completeness.' No trial of beclometasone dipropionate for RAS was identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Vitamin B12 (sublingual, 1000 mcg daily for 6 months) vs Placebo 'No ulcer' status during last 2 months of treatment · 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 | RR 3.27 [1.23, 8.66] | 1 study · 58 participants | Ungraded |
Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) vs Placebo Number of ulcers at end of 90-day treatment · 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 -0.5 [-1.10, 0.10] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Colchicine (0.5 mg three times per day) vs Clofazimine (100 mg daily for 30 days, then 100 mg every other day) Adverse effects · 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 | Clofazimine was associated with an increase in cutaneous adverse effects (Fisher's exact test P=0.015), easily controlled; there was a greater percentage of treatment interruptions in the colchicine group due to… | 1 study · 46 participants | Ungraded |
Perilla cooking oil vs Soybean cooking oil Average number of days for resolution of ulcers · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 8 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD 0.80 [-1.83, 3.43] | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist; 10 mg daily for 1 month then alternate days for the second month) 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 -3.95 [-4.38, -3.52] | 1 study · 40 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 Reduction in number of flares · 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 |
Clobetasol propionate ointment 0.05% vs 5% topical mesalazine gel in adhesive base Pain reduction (VAS 0-10) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.83 [-4.12, 2.46] | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal component alone) vs Placebo Mean size of ulcers · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 4 to 6 months Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.30 [-0.56, 0.04] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream) Physician Global Assessment (weighted sums of ulceration, erythema, reticulation, mm2) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -56.57 [-134.02, 20.88] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Conrotto 2006: ciclosporin - skin rashes (2), parotid swelling (1), and dyspepsia (3); clobetasol - dyspepsia (1). | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Any topical or systemic intervention vs Placebo, no treatment, or another intervention Outcome NR · People with erosive oesophageal lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | None of the studies involved oesophageal disease; hence, no evidence was found for the treatment of oesophageal ELP. | 0 studies | No studies |
Pentoxifylline (400 mg three times daily for 60 days) vs Placebo Pain, number of ulcers, ulcer-free days and ulcer size · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 60 days (plus 60-day follow-up) Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | A single trial at high risk of bias compared pentoxifylline 400 mg three times daily (n=14) with placebo (n=12). No statistically significant differences were reported for pain, number of ulcers and ulcer-free days at… | 1 study · 26 participants | Ungraded |
Aloe vera gel vs Placebo Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 2.64 [0.11, 61.54] | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Colchicine (0.5 mg three times per day) vs Placebo Complete remission (no further aphthous episodes to 6 months) · 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 | The trial by de Abreu 2009 (high risk of bias) also assessed colchicine (n=23) versus placebo (n=20). The number with no further aphthous episodes at 6 months was not significantly different from placebo (Fisher's… | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Aloe vera gel vs Placebo Partial response (>=50% clinical improvement) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 19.25 [2.83, 130.85] | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Aloe vera gel vs Placebo Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Choonhakarn 2008: no serious side-effects; 2 participants receiving aloe vera gel reported stinging and mild itching at lesions within the first week, symptoms spontaneously disappeared with… | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Individualised homeopathic medicine (two doses over 24 hours) vs Placebo Pain free 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 |
Betamethasone oral mini-pulse therapy vs Topical triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% paste Physician Global Assessment (clinical severity, 0-12 score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus · 24 weeks Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD 1.78 [0.17, 3.39] | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Hegarty 2002: nausea (4), swollen mouth (1), bad taste and smell (6), difficulty in spray application (7), dry mouth (2), sore throat (1), red painful tongue (1), and pseudomembranous… | 1 study · 44 participants | Ungraded |
Radix tripterygium hypoglaucum tablet (THT) vs Tripterygium glucosides tablet (TGT) Partial response (remarkably effective or effective) · People with erosive oral lichen planus · Grade II (erosive lesions only) Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 0.29 [0.07, 1.27] | 1 study · 94 participants | Ungraded |
Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist; 10 mg daily for 1 month then alternate days for the second month) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | The study reported equal drug-related adverse effects for those treated with montelukast and placebo. | 1 study · 40 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 Reduction in severity of flares · 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 |
Clobetasol-17-propionate 0.025% lipid-loaded microspheres vs Conventional 0.025% clobetasol lipophilic ointment in hydrophilic phase Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD 0.00 [-0.61, 0.61] | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Thalidomide (immunomodulator) 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 | Authors' conclusions: 'this review did not find trials involving several of other systemic interventions used for RAS, for example thalidomide in the absence of any systemic condition, despite its limitations on… | 0 studies | No studies |
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream) Pain reduction (VAS) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -3.30 [-20.22, 13.62] | 2 studies · 32 participants | Ungraded |
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel Pain (>=50% improvement in symptoms) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 0.47 [0.17, 1.32] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |