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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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

1,886 questions in 74 reviews · Skin

current versions
No studies 542 · 28.7%Ungraded 130 · 6.9%Very low 326 · 17.3%Low 434 · 23%Moderate 348 · 18.5%High 106 · 5.6%

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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
CHM vs placebo
Adverse events (Analysis 1.7) Participant's report · Participants with atopic eczema
Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema (2013) · Cochrane
RR 0.71 [0.06, 8.67]2 studies · 129 participantsLow
CHM vs drugs
Total effectiveness rate (Analysis 2.1) Clinician's rating · Participants with atopic eczema
Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema (2013) · Cochrane
RR 1.43 [1.27, 1.61]21 studies · 1868 participantsVery low
CHM vs drugs
Total effectiveness rate with subgroup analysis ‐ individualised treatment Clinician's rating · Participants with atopic eczema
Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema (2013) · Cochrane
RR 1.5 [1.3, 1.74]7 studies · 567 participantsLow
CHM vs drugs
Total effectiveness rate with subgroup analysis ‐ non‐individualised treatment Clinician's rating · Participants with atopic eczema
Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema (2013) · Cochrane
RR 1.37 [1.17, 1.6]14 studies · 1301 participantsVery low
CHM vs drugs
Itching VAS (Analysis 2.3) Participant's rating. Scale from 0 to 10 · Participants with atopic eczema
Chinese herbal medicine for atopic eczema (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted7 studies · 465 participantsLow
Intervention NR
First recurrence · high‐risk melanoma participants
Interferon alpha for the adjuvant treatment of cutaneous melanoma (2013) · Cochrane
HR 0.83 [0.78, 0.87]17 studies · 10345 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Death · high‐risk melanoma participants
Interferon alpha for the adjuvant treatment of cutaneous melanoma (2013) · Cochrane
HR 0.91 [0.85, 0.97]15 studies · 9927 participantsHigh
NB‐UVB vs oral PUVA
Participant‐rated global improvement · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB vs topical PUVA
Percentage of participants reaching PASI 75 · People with palmoplantar psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB vs topical PUVA
Withdrawal due to side‐effects · People with palmoplantar psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB vs topical PUVA
Clearance rate · People with palmoplantar psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
RR 0.09 [0.01, 1.56]1 study · 50 participantsLow
NB‐UVB plus retinoid vs PUVA plus retinoid
Participant‐rated global improvement · People with chronic plaque or guttate psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB plus retinoid vs PUVA plus retinoid
Percentage of participants reaching PASI 75 · People with chronic plaque or guttate psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
RR 0.89 [0.59, 1.35]1 study · 60 participantsLow
NB‐UVB plus retinoid vs PUVA plus retinoid
Withdrawal due to side‐effects · People with chronic plaque or guttate psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB plus retinoid vs PUVA plus retinoid
Clearance rate · People with chronic plaque or guttate psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
RR 0.93 [0.79, 1.1]2 studies · 90 participantsLow
NB‐UVB vs selective BB‐UVB
Participant‐rated global improvement · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB vs selective BB‐UVB
Percentage of participants reaching PASI 75 · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB vs selective BB‐UVB
Withdrawal due to side‐effects · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
RR 3 [0.32, 27.87]1 study · 100 participantsLow
NB‐UVB vs oral PUVA
Percentage of participants reaching PASI 75 · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
RR 0.91 [0.63, 1.32]1 study · 51 participantsLow
NB‐UVB vs selective BB‐UVB
Clearance rate · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
RR 1.4 [0.92, 2.13]1 study · 100 participantsLow
NB‐UVB vs oral PUVA
Withdrawal due to side‐effects · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
RR 0.71 [0.2, 2.54]3 studies · 247 participantsLow
NB‐UVB vs oral PUVA
Clearance rate · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB vs bath PUVA
Participant‐rated global improvement · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB vs bath PUVA
Percentage of participants reaching PASI 75 · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB vs bath PUVA
Withdrawal due to side‐effects · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
NB‐UVB vs bath PUVA
Clearance rate · People with chronic plaque psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
RR 1.79 [0.46, 6.91]2 studies · 92 participantsLow
NB‐UVB vs topical PUVA
Participant‐rated global improvement · People with palmoplantar psoriasis
Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy versus broad‐band ultraviolet B or psoralen‐ultraviolet A… (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment
Pain reduction (VAS 0-10) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD -0.64 [-1.91, 0.63]1 study · 29 participantsUngraded
0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase vs Ciclosporin solution
Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD 0.61 [-0.79, 2.01]1 study · 11 participantsUngraded
Radix tripterygium hypoglaucum tablet (THT) vs Tripterygium glucosides tablet (TGT)
Partial response (remarkably effective or effective) · People with erosive oral lichen planus · Grade I (erosive and ulcerative lesions)
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
RR 0.18 [0.04, 0.82]1 study · 94 participantsUngraded
Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD 0.47 [-0.26, 1.20]1 study · 35 participantsUngraded
Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash
Dermatology quality of life (OHQoL16) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
No statistical testing of the Oral Health Quality of Life index (OHQoL16) was reported in Hegarty 2002 (fluticasone mean score 0.7 versus betamethasone mean score -0.8).1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel
Physician Global Assessment (Thongprasom score) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
RR 3.16 [1.00, 9.93]1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream)
Physician Global Assessment (surface of erosive lesions) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD -0.50 [-1.39, 0.39]1 study · 12 participantsUngraded
0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in orabase vs Ciclosporin solution
Pain reduction (VAS 0-100) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD 45.17 [8.73, 81.61]1 study · 11 participantsUngraded
Topical ciclosporin 1.5% gel vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% gel
Relapse rate when medications stopped · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
Topical clobetasol gave less stable results than ciclosporin when therapy ended and showed a higher incidence of side-effects (Conrotto 2006, n=40).1 study · 40 participantsUngraded
Topical clobetasol propionate 0.025% vs Topical clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Pain reduction (VAS) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
MD -0.26 [-1.42, 0.90]1 study · 30 participantsUngraded
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream)
Side-effects reported · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
Table 3 (Side-effects). Passeron 2007: 1% pimecrolimus well-tolerated, transient burning (2) during the first 2 weeks. Swift 2005: pimecrolimus - slight burning of the tip of the tongue after applying 1% pimecrolimus…3 studies · 52 participantsUngraded
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream)
Physician Global Assessment (strong improvement) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
RR 7.00 [1.04, 46.95]1 study · 20 participantsUngraded
Any topical or systemic intervention vs Placebo, no treatment, or another intervention
Outcome NR · People with erosive anogenital (genital) lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
None of the included studies assessed the effectiveness of treatments of genital ELP; no evidence was found for genital ELP.0 studiesNo studies
1% pimecrolimus cream vs Placebo (vehicle cream)
Participant global self-assessment · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
One study (Passeron 2007) assessed participant global self-assessment on a 5-point scale: 5/6 participants in the 1% pimecrolimus group rated their improvement as moderate or important versus 1/6 in the placebo group…1 study · 12 participantsUngraded
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
Eating a normally varied diet · 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 studiesNo studies
Fluticasone propionate spray vs Betamethasone sodium phosphate mouthwash
Pain reduction (VAS 0-100) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
In the Hegarty 2002 cross-over trial (n=22), no statistical testing of the pain score (VAS 0 to 100) was reported; it is not clear whether the difference is statistically significant (fluticasone mean score 19.8 versus…1 study · 22 participantsUngraded
Fluocinonide in adhesive base vs Placebo
Physician Global Assessment (clinical signs, complete response) · People with erosive oral lichen planus
Interventions for erosive lichen planus affecting mucosal sites (2012) · Cochrane
RR 4.67 [0.24, 88.96]1 study · 27 participantsUngraded
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 participantsUngraded
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 participantsUngraded
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 participantsUngraded
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 participantsUngraded
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 studiesNo studies
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 participantsUngraded