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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Clofazimine (100 mg daily for 30 days, then 100 mg every other day) 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 | Clofazimine was associated with an increase in cutaneous adverse effects (skin pigmentation and drying) (Fisher's exact test P=0.015), but these were reported to be easily controlled. | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal component alone) vs Placebo Number of days of ulcers (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 -0.80 [-3.30, 1.70] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Radix tripterygium hypoglaucum tablet (THT) vs Tripterygium glucosides tablet (TGT) Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Lin 2005: TGT - menstrual disturbance (6) and leucopenia (1). Tripterygium glucosides are known to be cytotoxic and unsuitable for individuals of child-bearing age. | 1 study · 94 participants | Ungraded |
Ciclosporin rinse vs Placebo (vehicle) Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Eisen 1990: no adverse side-effects; transient burning sensation of mucosal surfaces during swishing of medication reported in all participants. | 1 study · 8 participants | Ungraded |
Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg twice daily for 90 days) vs Placebo Number of new lesions 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 -0.19 [-0.35, -0.03] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Tetracycline suspension (250 mg, held in mouth 2 minutes then swallowed, four times daily for 5 days) vs Placebo Adjusted maximum ulcer size and adjusted maximum pain · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 5 days per outbreak Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | A statistically significant difference was shown, in favour of tetracycline, for adjusted maximum ulcer size (P=0.034) and adjusted maximum pain (P=0.017). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Daily multivitamin vs Placebo Duration of 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 -0.33 [-2.06, 1.40] | 1 study | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal component alone) 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 | Kolseth 2005 (high risk of bias): 40 patients randomised to the herbal component of LongoVital alone or placebo; data presented as medians with 95% CIs, unsuitable for further analysis; no statistically significant… | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Vitamin B12 (sublingual, 1000 mcg daily for 6 months) vs Placebo Frequency of outbreaks per month · 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 -8.74 [-16.62, -0.86] | 1 study · 58 participants | Ungraded |
0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase vs Ciclosporin solution Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Yoke 2006: no significant adverse events; transient burning sensation upon initial application with both treatments. | 1 study · 15 participants | Ungraded |
Perilla cooking oil vs Soybean cooking oil Adverse effects · 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 | No adverse events were reported. | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Ciclosporin rinse vs Placebo (vehicle) Physician Global Assessment (severity of disease) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -1.40 [-1.86, -0.94] | 1 study · 8 participants | Ungraded |
Tetracycline suspension (250 mg, held in mouth 2 minutes then swallowed, four times daily for 5 days) vs Placebo Average number of new lesions per week · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 5 days per outbreak Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | MD -0.47 [-1.34, 0.40] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Fluocinonide in adhesive base vs Placebo Partial response (>33% improvement) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 3.00 [0.62, 14.62] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Clobetasol propionate ointment 0.05% vs 5% topical mesalazine gel in adhesive base Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Sardella 1998: no side-effects (there were no reported side-effects with topical mesalazine gel). | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist; 10 mg daily for 1 month then alternate days for the second month) 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 -3.90 [-4.55, -3.25] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Hydrocortisone (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 hydrocortisone for RAS was identified. | 0 studies | No studies |
Aloe vera gel vs Placebo Pain (>=50% improvement in symptoms) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 6.16 [2.35, 16.13] | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Levamisole (150 mg per day) vs Placebo Decrease in number of ulcers · 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 7.88 [0.51, 121.96] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Pentoxifylline (400 mg three times daily for 60 days) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | Patients receiving pentoxifylline reported more adverse events than those in the placebo group but this was not statistically significant (69% reported adverse effects: dizziness, headaches, stomach upset, increased… | 1 study · 26 participants | Ungraded |
Colchicine (0.5 mg per day for 3 months) vs Prednisolone (5 mg per day for 3 months) Number of aphthous ulcers at completion · 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 -0.13 [-0.50, 0.24] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Colchicine (0.5 mg per day for 3 months) vs Prednisolone (5 mg per day for 3 months) Adverse effects · 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 | Colchicine was associated with statistically significantly more adverse effects than prednisolone (nine participants reporting adverse effects on colchicine versus two on prednisolone). | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Tetracycline suspension (250 mg, held in mouth 2 minutes then swallowed, four times daily for 5 days) vs Placebo Adverse effects · Participants with a previous or current history of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), diagnosed on history and… · 5 days per outbreak Systemic interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (2012) · Cochrane | Adverse event rates were comparable between groups. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Ciclosporin rinse vs Placebo (vehicle) Pain reduction (participant-reported symptoms) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | We were unable to extract data on participant-reported symptoms for Eisen 1990 because there was no breakdown of data for the ELP subgroup. | 1 study · 8 participants | Ungraded |
Colchicine (0.5 mg per day for 3 months) vs Prednisolone (5 mg per day for 3 months) Recurrence during treatment period · 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 | RR 1.30 [0.98, 1.71] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% Partial response (partial or complete response) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 1.18 [0.82, 1.70] | 1 study · 35 participants | Ungraded |
Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment Reduction in target/mean lesion size · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD 0.00 [-1.09, 1.10] | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Fluocinonide in adhesive base 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). Voute 1993: no side-effects during the study and follow-up period. | 1 study · 27 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) Overall effectiveness (all parameters) · 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 | A trial at high risk of bias (Zissis 1983) compared two different dose regimens of levamisole (treatment 2 days per week for 16 weeks; a third group received placebo). There was inconsistency in the presentation of the… | 1 study | 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 I (erosive and ulcerative lesions) Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | RR 0.55 [0.25, 1.20] | 1 study · 94 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist) 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 -0.30 [-0.90, 0.30] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Colchicine (0.5 mg three times per day) 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 | There was a greater percentage of treatment interruptions in the colchicine group due to gastrointestinal adverse effects (Fisher's exact test P=0.009). The review noted potential evidence of harm at a dose of 1.5 mg… | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Camel thorn (plant distillate) vs Placebo Adverse effects · 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 | No evidence of drug side effects was observed. | 1 study · 93 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal plus vitamin component) vs LongoVital (herbal component alone) 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 (Kolseth 2005). | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | Table 3 (Side-effects). Carbone 2009: no side-effects. | 1 study · 35 participants | Ungraded |
Clobetasol-17-propionate 0.025% lipid-loaded microspheres vs Conventional 0.025% clobetasol lipophilic ointment in hydrophilic phase Pain reduction (VAS 0-100) · People with erosive oral lichen planus Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane | MD -18.30 [-28.57, -8.03] | 1 study · 45 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone (oral, commencing 25 mg with phased dose reduction over 2 months) vs Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist) 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 more drug-related adverse effects for those treated with prednisone than montelukast. | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Montelukast (leukotriene receptor antagonist; 10 mg daily for 1 month then alternate days for the second month) vs Placebo Pain (visual analogue scale) · 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 -1.15 [-1.46, -0.84] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
LongoVital (herbal component alone) 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 | Reported adverse events were minor and evenly distributed between the groups (Kolseth 2005). 'Very few and mostly harmless side-effects' were observed (Bratel 2005). | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Placebo (spray base without CMC / water) 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 | Donatsky 1982 (crossover, n=15, Sjogren's syndrome): CMC spray had a similar effect on oral dryness to the spray base, but was more effective than water. Paired crossover data not presented; effect size not estimable. | 1 study · 15 participants | Ungraded |
Camomile 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 0.89 [0.62, 1.27] | 1 study · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Indigo wood root vs Saline (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 0.75 [0.5, 1.1] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Sucralfate vs Placebo/usual care 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 0.98 [0.88, 1.1] | 3 studies · 222 participants | Moderate |
Intestinal trefoil factor 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 1.52 [0.06, 36.39] | 1 study · 99 participants | Ungraded |
Reservoir biteguard device releasing a saliva substitute (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana) vs Biteguard without reservoir (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana) Oral health (oral impacts on daily performances) · 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 | More in the reservoir group experienced relief of an oral impact and fewer a new impact (OIDP), but no difference in the total impact score between groups. | 1 study · 86 participants | Ungraded |
Zinc sulphate 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 0.05 [0, 0.75] | 1 study · 27 participants | Ungraded |
Saliva stimulant lozenge (sorbitol, Sorbee) vs Saliva substitute spray (MouthKote) 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 | Stewart 1998: no statistically significant difference in patient preference between lozenge and spray (Analysis 2.3). | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Dentirol chewing gum (xylitol) vs Profylin lozenge (xylitol/sorbitol + CMC) 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 | Patients ranked gum and lozenge equal for preference. | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Glutamine vs Placebo/usual care 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 0.78 [0.57, 1.08] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Polaprezinc vs Azulene 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 0.43 [0.22, 0.84] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |