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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Dentirol chewing gum (xylitol) vs Profylin lozenge (xylitol/sorbitol + CMC) Salivary flow (stimulated whole saliva) · 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 change in stimulated whole saliva. | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Salinum linseed oil spray Oral health (plaque and gingival indices) · 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 | Mean plaque and gingival indices were reduced during the Salinum (linseed) period; incomplete comparative data. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) mouthwash vs Glycerin mouthwash Improvement in dry mouth ('excellent benefit', dichotomous) · 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 | RR 3.95 [1.17, 13.36] | 1 study · 148 participants | Ungraded |
Saliva stimulant lozenge (sorbitol, Sorbee) vs Saliva substitute spray (MouthKote) Salivary flow (unstimulated whole saliva) · 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 | MD -0.01 [-0.03, 0.02] | 1 study · 80 participants | Ungraded |
Various saliva stimulants (chewable tablet, lozenges, chewing gum, CMC mouthrinse/sprays; 8-arm) vs Saliva substitutes / other products Salivary flow (stimulated whole saliva) · 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 product had a long-term effect on stimulated whole saliva production. | 1 study · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Sucralfate vs Placebo/usual care 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 0.67 [0.48, 0.92] | 7 studies · 428 participants | Moderate |
Laser (low level) vs Placebo/sham/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 0.91 [0.71, 1.17] | 5 studies · 234 participants | Ungraded |
CMC/sorbitol pre-moistened swabs vs Lemon glycerin swabs Oral health (dentition and gingival scores) · 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 | CMC/sorbitol also improved dentition and gingival scores; no supporting data presented. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Polaprezinc vs Azulene 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 0.82 [0.63, 1.06] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Shenqi-fanghou 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 0.2 [0.11, 0.36] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 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 0.74 [0.62, 0.89] | 7 studies | Ungraded |
Histamine gel 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 1.35 [0.91, 1.99] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
CMC spray / aloe vera gel / canola oil spray vs Mucin spray (and between each other) 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 | No significant difference in patient preference between the treatments (Chi2 3.67, df=3; P = 0.30). | 1 study · 123 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine 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 0.76 [0.47, 1.24] | 4 studies · 454 participants | Low |
Shenqi-fanghou 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 0.51 [0.38, 0.68] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Yangyin-humo decoction vs Traditional Western medicine 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 0.57 [0.2, 1.66] | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Aloe vera 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 0.74 [0.58, 0.96] | 2 studies · 119 participants | Ungraded |
Reservoir biteguard device releasing a saliva substitute (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana) vs Biteguard without reservoir (with KY jelly + Saliva Orthana) Xerostomia (Xerostomia Inventory) · 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 -0.06 [-0.48, 0.37] | 1 study · 86 participants | Ungraded |
Radiotherapy (morning) vs Radiotherapy (afternoon/evening) 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 0.7 [0.48, 1.01] | 1 study · 177 participants | Ungraded |
Mucoadhesive disk (carbomer/triglycerides + antimicrobial agents) vs Placebo disk Xerostomia (oral dryness/moistness) · 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 | Kerr 2010 (crossover, high risk of bias): no difference in oral dryness between active and placebo disks; increase in subjective oral moistness with both, persisting up to 2 weeks after last use (likely carryover);… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Chewing gum (mechanical saliva stimulant) vs Saliva substitute spray Xerostomia (mouth dryness, VAS/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 -0.11 [-0.33, 0.11] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Buffered 'Prophylin' prophylactic gel vs Placebo (unbuffered gel / water) Xerostomia (dry mouth symptoms) · 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 | Persson 2007 (crossover, n=14, institutionalised elderly): no dry mouth symptom data after treatment were presented. | 1 study · 14 participants | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Usual care (no intraoral device) 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 | More participants preferred the intraoral device (66%) compared with usual care; data not suitable for meta-analysis. | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Usual care (no intraoral device) Salivary flow (unstimulated whole saliva) · 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 | MD 0.05 [-0.04, 0.14] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Chewing gum (mechanical saliva stimulant) vs Saliva substitute spray Salivary flow (unstimulated whole saliva) · 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 | MD 0.01 [-0.01, 0.04] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Dental stent 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 0.84 [0.62, 1.15] | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Xerostomia (VAS mouth 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 | Duxbury 1989 (crossover): statistically significant improvement in dry mouth on a VAS favouring the mucin spray group (Analysis 1.2; SMD not numerically reported). | 1 study | Ungraded |
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 studies | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 study | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 studies | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 study | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 studies | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 studies | Ungraded |
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 participants | Low |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 extracted | 2 studies | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |
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 participants | Ungraded |