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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
GM-CSF vs Sucralfate 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 0.96 [0.8, 1.14] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Amifostine 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 0.95 [0.91, 0.99] | 3 studies · 430 participants | Moderate |
Various saliva stimulants (chewable tablet, lozenges, chewing gum, CMC mouthrinse/sprays; 8-arm) vs Saliva substitutes / other products Xerostomia (dry mouth relief) · 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 | Bjornstrom 1990 (8-arm crossover, high risk of bias, 106 enrolled, 55 used all 8 products): all products relieved dry mouth and difficulty talking/swallowing 'to some extent'; V6 chewing gum and Salivin lozenge ranked… | 1 study · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Benzydamine 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 0.67 [0.47, 0.97] | 1 study · 36 participants | Ungraded |
Laser (low level) vs Placebo/sham/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 0.64 [0.38, 1.08] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) spray vs Saliveeze (aqueous electrolyte) spray Xerostomia (mouth dryness 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 0.77 [0.38, 1.15] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Traumeel 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 0.71 [0.49, 1.05] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone 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 1.03 [0.85, 1.24] | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Patient satisfaction / desire to continue treatment · 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 | Sweeney 1997: majority in both groups wished to continue the allocated spray, no significant difference (Analysis 1.3). Duxbury 1989: 14/30 (46.6%) and 15/30 (50%) wished to continue Saliva Orthana and the spray base… | 2 studies | Ungraded |
CMC spray / HCC spray / HCC gel vs Liquid margarine (and between each other) Xerostomia (median 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 | Furumoto 1998 (crossover, n=28, medians/IQR): median day-10 oral dryness (lower = less dry): CMC spray 28.00 (3.06), HCC spray 28.75 (2.23), HCC gel 27.75 (3.62), margarine 29.25 (5.06). Only HCC gel showed a… | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 30 minutes vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 60 minutes 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 0.68 [0.36, 1.3] | 1 study · 178 participants | Ungraded |
Intestinal trefoil factor 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 0.22 [0.1, 0.48] | 1 study · 99 participants | Ungraded |
Aloe vera 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 0.13 [0.02, 0.97] | 1 study · 61 participants | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine 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 0.89 [0.58, 1.37] | 1 study · 34 participants | Ungraded |
Yangyin-humo decoction vs Traditional Western medicine 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 0.65 [0.41, 1.02] | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Systemic antibiotic (clarithromycin) 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 0.69 [0.48, 1.01] | 1 study · 70 participants | Ungraded |
Oral care protocol vs No treatment/usual care 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 0.91 [0.82, 1.02] | 1 study · 150 participants | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Manually administered bolus of the same gel 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 -1.01 [-1.44, -0.58] | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Hydrolytic enzymes 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 | no estimate extracted | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Shenqi-fanghou vs 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 0.9 [0.8, 1] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Propantheline 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 0.4 [0.12, 1.31] | 1 study · 12 participants | Ungraded |
Commercial mouthcare system (Biotene Oral Balance / Xerostom) vs Usual care or CMC-based control 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 0.02 [-0.02, 0.06] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Sucralfate vs Placebo/usual care 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 [0.54, 1.04] | 4 studies | Ungraded |
V6 chewing gum vs PTC chewing gum (xylitol/sorbitol/mannitol) Salivary flow (saliva secretion) · 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 | Olsson 1991 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=14): both gums increased saliva secretion, peaking 17.5 minutes after chewing started; significant treatment-by-period interaction; no per-group data presented. | 1 study · 14 participants | Ungraded |
Amifostine vs Placebo/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 0.68 [0.45, 1.03] | 9 studies · 845 participants | Very low |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 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 0.36 [0.17, 0.77] | 5 studies · 472 participants | Low |
Pilocarpine lozenge (3 mg or 5 mg) vs Placebo lozenge Xerostomia (oral dryness) · Adults seeking treatment for the symptom of dry mouth (xerostomia) due to any cause (e.g. medication, Sjogren's… · Single dose (up to 3 hours) Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies (2011) · Cochrane | Taweechaisupapong 2006 (crossover): participants reported a statistically significant improvement in oral dryness after both 3 mg and 5 mg pilocarpine lozenges vs placebo (P <= 0.05); no usable data presented. No… | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Oral health assessment · 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 | Blixt-Johansen 1992 (parallel, elderly long-term care, poor oral mucosa): oral mucosa improved in both groups but a much greater reduction in oral pathology in the mucin spray group; no data presented. | 1 study | Ungraded |
GM-CSF 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 | no estimate extracted | 8 studies | Ungraded |
Indigo wood root vs Saline (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 0.14 [0.02, 0.93] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Glutamine (intravenous) 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 0.25 [0.1, 0.62] | 3 studies · 93 participants | Ungraded |
Radiotherapy (morning) vs Radiotherapy (afternoon/evening) 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 | no estimate extracted | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Placebo/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 0.82 [0.54, 1.23] | 4 studies · 244 participants | Low |
Carbopol (polyacrylic acid/acetate) spray vs Placebo 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 | van der Reijden 1996 (crossover, Sjogren's syndrome): carbopol spray found partially effective; none of the sprays were completely effective; no data suitable for inclusion. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Honey 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 0.48 [0.31, 0.74] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Usual care (no intraoral device) Xerostomia (mouth dryness, median) · 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 | Frost 2002 (crossover, n=30, Sjogren's syndrome): overall mouth dryness favoured the device but only nearly significant (median 4 (IQR 2 to 4) device vs 3 (2 to 4) control; P = 0.056). Speech (P = 0.003) and swallowing… | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Duration of relief of 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: no difference between mucin spray and placebo in the duration of relief of dryness (Analysis 1.4). | 1 study | Ungraded |
Chewing gum (mechanical saliva stimulant) vs Saliva substitute spray 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 | Bots 2005: statistically significant preference for chewing gum over Xialine spray, 39/49 (80%) preferred gum vs 10/49 (20%) spray (Chi2 17.16, df=1; P < 0.001) (Analysis 2.3). Davies 2000: more people preferred gum,… | 1 study · 65 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone 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 0.64 [0.17, 2.45] | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |
Buffered 'Prophylin' prophylactic gel vs Placebo (unbuffered gel / water) Oral health (oral pH, cariogenic bacteria, Candida) · 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 between buffered gel, unbuffered gel and water for oral pH, cariogenic bacteria or Candida species. | 1 study · 14 participants | Ungraded |
GM-CSF vs Sucralfate 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 0.54 [0.24, 1.21] | 1 study · 40 participants | Ungraded |
Betaine (BET) toothpaste (4%) vs SLS toothpaste (1%) and combined BET+SLS toothpaste Xerostomia (relief of 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 | Rantanen 2003 (crossover): relief of oral dryness BET 44% vs BET+SLS 22% (P = 0.002) vs SLS 18% (P = 0.022) vs reference toothpaste 7% (P < 0.001); betaine-only significantly better than the other toothpastes. No… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Laser (low level) vs Povidone 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 0.29 [0.16, 0.54] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Honey vs 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 0.7 [0.56, 0.88] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Beta carotene 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 0.38 [0.14, 1.02] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Iseganan 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 | no estimate extracted | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Xanthum gum-containing spray (Xialine) vs Placebo spray (base without xanthum) Xerostomia (EORTC dry mouth score) · 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 | Jellema 2001 (crossover, n=30, post-radiotherapy): no statistically significant difference between Xialine (xanthum gum) spray and placebo on the EORTC dry mouth score (Analysis 1.2). van der Reijden 1996: xanthum… | 2 studies · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Polaprezinc vs Azulene 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 0.09 [0.01, 0.65] | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Salinum linseed oil spray 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 | Statistically significant preference for linseed spray: of 17 with a preference, more favoured linseed (Chi2 4.77, df=1; P = 0.029); 3 expressed no preference. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
CMC spray / aloe vera gel / canola oil spray vs Mucin spray (and between each other) Xerostomia (mean xerostomia score) · 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 | Momm 2005 (crossover, n=123): all four treatments significantly reduced dryness vs baseline (mean xerostomia score, scale 1 to 6: baseline 4.5 +/- 0.11; post-treatment aloe vera 3.7 +/- 0.11, CMC 3.8 +/- 0.12, canola… | 1 study · 123 participants | Ungraded |