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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Honey 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 0.26 [0.13, 0.52] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) spray vs Saliveeze (aqueous electrolyte) spray Oral health (overall mouth condition) · 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 | Mouly 2007b: overall mouth condition improved in both groups; no significant differences between the treatment groups. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Antibiotic pastille or paste (PTA) 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 0.87 [0.78, 0.96] | 2 studies · 356 participants | Ungraded |
Epidermal growth 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 0.67 [0.45, 0.99] | 1 study · 103 participants | Ungraded |
Chewing gum vs No chewing gum 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 0.87 [0.71, 1.07] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Dentirol chewing gum (xylitol) vs Profylin lozenge (xylitol/sorbitol + CMC) 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 | Risheim 1993 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=18, rheumatic patients): both products gave good subjective relief of dry mouth in slightly less than one third of participants; crossover design not accounted for, no… | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Oxygenated glycerol triester (OGT) spray vs Saliveeze (aqueous electrolyte) spray Patient satisfaction · 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 | Mouly 2007b: patient satisfaction measured by VAS for global acceptability (Analysis 3.4); no significant difference between treatments for overall oral condition. Satisfaction for taste favoured OGT (mean VAS… | 1 study | Ungraded |
CMC/sorbitol pre-moistened swabs vs Lemon glycerin swabs 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 | Poland 1987 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=20): CMC/sorbitol reported superior to lemon glycerin for reducing oral dryness; brief report, incomplete data, period effect noted; not usable for meta-analysis. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Oral care protocol vs No treatment/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 0.84 [0.69, 1.04] | 1 study · 150 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 30 minutes vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 60 minutes 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, 1.29] | 1 study · 178 participants | Ungraded |
Pentoxifylline 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 1 [0.68, 1.47] | 1 study · 140 participants | Ungraded |
Glutamine 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 0.88 [0.69, 1.12] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Mucin-containing lozenge vs Placebo lozenge 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 | Gravenmade 1993 (crossover, high risk of bias, n=42, Sjogren's syndrome): no statistically significant difference between mucin lozenge and placebo for mouth dryness on a VAS (Analysis 1.2). | 1 study · 42 participants | Ungraded |
Indomethacin 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 1 [0.82, 1.23] | 1 study · 18 participants | Ungraded |
Oral care protocol vs No treatment/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 0.62 [0.43, 0.91] | 1 study · 30 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 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 0.74 [0.57, 0.95] | 5 studies · 472 participants | Low |
Carbopol (polyacrylic acid/acetate) spray vs Placebo 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 | Patient preference for active sprays vs placebo nearly attained significance (Chi2 7.259, df=3; P = 0.064); 15/43 participants expressed no desire to continue any spray after the trial. | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Physostigmine gel (1.8 mg) vs Placebo gel 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 | Approximately fivefold increase in saliva secretion; mean AUC salivary volume 43.4 +/- 9.4 (physostigmine) vs 8.3 +/- 6.6 (placebo), P < 0.001. Adverse effects: 8 mild gastrointestinal upsets, 1 sweating. | 1 study · 17 participants | Ungraded |
Prednisone 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 0.71 [0.47, 1.07] | 1 study · 66 participants | Ungraded |
Laser (low level) vs Placebo/sham/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 [0.06, 0.62] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Commercial mouthcare system (Biotene Oral Balance / Xerostom) vs Usual care or CMC-based control 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 | SMD 1.11 [0.33, 1.89] | 1 study | Ungraded |
Camomile 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 1.14 [0.43, 3.01] | 1 study · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Glutamine 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 0.69 [0.37, 1.29] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Biotene Oral Balance mouthcare system vs Bioxtra mouthcare system 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 | No difference between systems for overall xerostomia-related quality of life (15-item survey). Bioxtra rated better for taste; no difference for mouth 'feel'. Trial likely underpowered. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Pilocarpine lozenge (3 mg or 5 mg) vs Placebo lozenge Salivary flow (saliva production) · 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 | Statistically significant increase in saliva production vs placebo (P <= 0.05); maximum salivary output 60 to 90 minutes post-lozenge; no data presented. | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
CMC spray / HCC spray / HCC gel vs Liquid margarine (and between each other) Patient satisfaction · 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 | HCC gel rated better than margarine for convenience, perceived value, minutes of relief and overall rating; no other significant between-group differences. | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 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 0.82 [0.71, 0.94] | 2 studies · 160 participants | Low |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Manually administered bolus of the same gel Patient satisfaction · 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 satisfaction scores favoured the gel bolus over the intraoral device (Analysis 3.4). | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Laser (low level) vs Povidone 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 0.02 [0, 0.31] | 1 study · 50 participants | Ungraded |
Acyclovir 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 1.33 [0.85, 2.08] | 1 study · 57 participants | Ungraded |
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray vs Placebo (spray base without CMC / water) 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 evenly split between CMC spray and spray base. | 1 study · 15 participants | Ungraded |
Cryotherapy (ice chips) 30 minutes vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 60 minutes 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 0.6 [0.23, 1.58] | 1 study · 178 participants | Ungraded |
Superoxide dismutase 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 1.17 [0.78, 1.75] | 1 study · 159 participants | Ungraded |
Histamine gel 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 0.95 [0.15, 6.08] | 1 study · 39 participants | Ungraded |
Salinum (linseed) mouthwash vs Salinum plus chlorhexidine mouthwash 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 | Johansson 2001 (crossover, n=33, Sjogren's syndrome): both products improved oral dryness and chewing/swallowing; Salinum alone reduced speaking problems and burning mouth. Paired data not accounted for; no usable… | 1 study · 33 participants | Ungraded |
Intraoral device releasing Biotene Oral Balance gel vs Manually administered bolus of the same gel Salivary flow / oral health · 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 device and bolus in unstimulated whole saliva, oral microbial profile or generalised inflammation. | 1 study · 22 participants | Ungraded |
Mucin spray (Saliva Orthana) vs Placebo spray (base without mucin) Improvement in dry mouth (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 | Sweeney 1997 (parallel, n=31, terminal cancer): both sprays improved dry mouth symptoms but no statistically significant difference between mucin spray and placebo for improved dry mouth (Analysis 1.1; RR not… | 1 study · 31 participants | Ungraded |
Camomile 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 0.63 [0.33, 1.22] | 1 study · 164 participants | Ungraded |
Chinese herbs (medicine) vs Control (Dobell's solution) 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 0.44 [0.2, 0.95] | 1 study · 147 participants | Ungraded |
Biotene Oral Balance mouthcare system vs Bioxtra mouthcare system 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 | SMD 0.69 [0.08, 1.30] | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 50 mg vs Keratinocyte GF 25 mg 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 0.78 [0.4, 1.49] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
OASIS moisturising mouthwash vs Experimental mouthwash formulation Xerostomia (dry mouth) · 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 | Shirodaria 2006 (crossover): OASIS reported to give a statistically significant improvement over subjects' normal remedies, but the report did not present the randomised OASIS-versus-experimental comparison; no data… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Keratinocyte GF 50 mg vs Keratinocyte GF 25 mg 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 0.33 [0.04, 2.83] | 1 study · 28 participants | Ungraded |
V6 chewing gum / mucin chewing gum vs Placebo gum (and between each other) 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 | Aagaard 1992 (crossover, n=43): approximately 50% of participants had an increase in unstimulated whole saliva from all products; unclear how many completed the trial; no usable data. | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
V6 chewing gum / mucin chewing gum vs Placebo gum (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 | Preference favoured mucin gum (61%) over V6 (21%) and placebo (5%). | 1 study · 43 participants | Ungraded |
Chlorhexidine vs Cryotherapy (ice chips) 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 [0.46, 2.92] | 1 study · 133 participants | Ungraded |
Chinese herbs (medicine) vs Control (Dobell's solution) 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, 1.51] | 1 study · 147 participants | Ungraded |
CMC/sorbitol pre-moistened swabs vs Lemon glycerin swabs 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 favoured CMC/sorbitol (Chi2 10.89, df=1; P = 0.001). | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
G-CSF 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 0.36 [0.15, 0.86] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Any antifungal intervention for the treatment of oral candidiasis vs Placebo, no treatment, or another active antifungal intervention Days stay in hospital · Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with overt oral candidiasis Interventions for treating oral candidiasis for patients with cancer receiving treatment (2010) · Cochrane | None of the studies reported: relief of pain, relief of dysphagia, incidence of systemic infection, amount of analgesia, days stay in hospital, cost of oral care, patient quality of life. | 0 studies | No studies |