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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Hospital admission (length of stay) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | The trials did not measure hospital admission. | 0 studies | No studies |
Physiotherapy (tongue-spatula jaw exercises) vs No active treatment Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 0.50 [-7.72, 8.72] | 1 study · 24 participants | Very low |
Intralesional steroid injection plus adjunctive treatment vs Intralesional steroid injection alone Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.03 [-2.48, 2.43] | 2 studies · 148 participants | Low |
Topical curcumin gel vs Topical aloe vera gel Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.64 [-3.91, 2.63] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Buccal fat pad pedicle plus placental extract vs Buccal fat pad pedicle alone Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 7.80 [4.90, 10.70] | 1 study · 10 participants | Very low |
Oral cancer patients (cases) vs Healthy controls Periodontal parameters (all measures pooled) in OC cases vs controls · Adults in case-control studies (oral cancer patients vs healthy controls) · Not specified, Overall (all periodontal measures pooled) Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. (2024) | SMD 0.95 [0.41, 1.49] | 5 studies | Ungraded |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Participant-reported resumption of normal eating, chewing and speech · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | SoF: participant-reported resumption of normal eating, chewing and speech - outcome not reported by included studies. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Adverse effects · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | Adverse effects (any): 0 in placebo vs 2 minor (flatulence and bloating); 90 (1); no GRADE rating given. | 1 study · 90 participants | Ungraded |
Vasodilators (isoxsuprine, xanthinol nicotinate) vs Placebo or no active treatment Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 4.04 [-1.93, 10.02] | 2 studies · 85 participants | Very low |
Buccal fat pad graft vs Extended nasolabial flap Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · More than 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 6.50 [-10.72, 23.72] | 1 study · 8 participants | Very low |
Intralesional steroid injection plus adjunctive treatment vs Intralesional steroid injection alone Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.85 [-3.31, 1.61] | 2 studies · 148 participants | Low |
Oral cancer patients (cases) vs Healthy controls Periodontal pocket depth (PPD) in OC cases vs controls · Adults in case-control studies (oral cancer patients vs healthy controls) · Not specified, PPD (periodontal pocket depth) Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. (2024) | SMD 1.64 [-0.20, 3.47] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Pentoxifylline vs Spirulina Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 0.50 [-6.60, 7.60] | 1 study · 40 participants | Very low |
Periodontitis / periodontal disease (history or clinical diagnosis) vs No periodontitis (individuals without periodontal disease) Oral cancer (OC) · Adults in case-control studies of oral cancer; people assessed for periodontitis · Not specified, Overall (random-effects pooled estimate) Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. (2024) | OR 2.94 [2.13, 4.07] | 8 studies · 6927 participants | Low |
Pentoxifylline vs Multivitamin Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | Rajendran 2006 (pentoxifylline 14 vs multivitamins 15): reported increased interincisal distance in the pentoxifylline group but no baseline data, so change could not be determined; excluded from meta-analysis. | 1 study · 29 participants | Ungraded |
Oxitard (antioxidant) vs Aloe vera gel Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 9.40 [8.52, 10.28] | 1 study · 120 participants | Low |
Spirulina vs Oxitard (antioxidant) Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -2.60 [-3.82, -1.38] | 1 study · 50 participants | Low |
Lycopene plus intralesional betamethasone vs Placebo Severity of oral/mucosal burning pain/sensation · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | Kumar 2007 reported burning sensation using a non-validated scale; not included in quantitative analysis. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Buccal fat pad graft vs Extended nasolabial flap Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -7.25 [-14.19, -0.31] | 1 study · 8 participants | Very low |
Intralesional steroid injections vs Alternative medicinal treatments Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.57 [-2.34, 1.19] | 3 studies · 98 participants | Low |
Surgery plus Heister jaw opener vs Surgery plus wooden tongue depressors Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · More than 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 0.60 [0.01, 1.19] | 1 study · 50 participants | Very low |
Oral cancer patients (cases) vs Healthy controls Alveolar bone loss (ABL) in OC cases vs controls · Adults in case-control studies (oral cancer patients vs healthy controls) · Not specified, ABL (alveolar bone loss) Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. (2024) | SMD 0.18 [-2.34, 2.69] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Abdominal dermal fat graft vs Nasolabial flap Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -14.87 [-19.93, -9.81] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Buccal fat pad graft vs Extended nasolabial flap Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 6.00 [-11.36, 23.36] | 1 study · 8 participants | Very low |
Vasodilators (isoxsuprine, xanthinol nicotinate) vs Placebo or no active treatment Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -51.02 [-72.85, -29.20] | 2 studies · 85 participants | Very low |
Topical curcumin gel vs Topical aloe vera gel Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 16.00 [7.21, 24.79] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Vasodilators (isoxsuprine, xanthinol nicotinate) vs Placebo or no active treatment Adverse effects · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | Adverse effects (any): 0 placebo vs 14 minor (transient flushing and upper trunk warmness); 85 (2); no GRADE rating. | 2 studies · 85 participants | Ungraded |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Intolerance to spicy food (participant-reported proxy) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | OR 0.02 [0.00, 0.43] | 1 study · 100 participants | Ungraded |
Levamisole vs Antioxidant (Antoxid) Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -1.00 [-7.18, 5.18] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -70.82 [-94.39, -47.25] | 2 studies · 500 participants | Moderate |
Intralesional steroid injections vs Alternative medicinal treatments Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -0.64 [-2.16, 0.89] | 4 studies · 128 participants | Low |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · More than 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -1.41 [-5.74, 2.92] | 1 study · 90 participants | Low |
Spirulina vs Topical aloe vera gel Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | Patil 2015b (spirulina vs topical aloe vera gel): reported important outcomes but data not in a usable format; excluded from meta-analysis. | 1 study | Ungraded |
Number of missing teeth (per additional tooth) vs One fewer missing tooth Oral cancer (OC) · Adults in case-control studies of oral cancer · Not specified, Missing teeth (per tooth) Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. (2024) | OR 0.96 [0.92, 1.01] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Pentoxifylline vs Placebo or no active treatment Difficulty in speech (participant-reported proxy) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | OR 0.20 [0.08, 0.48] | 1 study · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Antioxidant capsules vs Topical aloe vera gel Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | Sudarshan 2012 reported a reduction in burning sensation but no baseline data, so change could not be determined. | 1 study · 20 participants | Ungraded |
Lycopene plus intralesional betamethasone vs Placebo Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | Kumar 2007 (3-arm: lycopene vs lycopene+intralesional betamethasone vs placebo): appeared to show increased interincisal distance in the two active groups, but limited withdrawal information/incomplete data meant… | 1 study | Ungraded |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Postoperative discomfort or pain · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | The trials did not measure postoperative discomfort or pain. | 0 studies | No studies |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 3.11 [0.46, 5.77] | 2 studies · 520 participants | Low |
Levamisole vs Antioxidant (Antoxid) Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -7.00 [-13.56, -0.44] | 1 study · 30 participants | Very low |
Pentoxifylline vs Placebo or no active treatment Difficulty in swallowing (participant-reported proxy) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | OR 0.42 [0.19, 0.92] | 1 study · 106 participants | Ungraded |
Oral cancer patients (cases) vs Healthy controls DMFT index in OC cases vs controls · Adults in case-control studies (oral cancer patients vs healthy controls) · Not specified, DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. (2024) | SMD 0.65 [0.12, 1.18] | 2 studies | Ungraded |
Jaw opening exercises alone vs Ultrasound plus jaw opening exercises Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -3.70 [-11.53, 4.13] | 1 study · 20 participants | Very low |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -30.92 [-31.57, -30.27] | 1 study · 400 participants | Moderate |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Difficulty in speech (participant-reported proxy) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | OR 0.51 [0.21, 1.22] | 1 study · 120 participants | Ungraded |
Oral cancer patients (cases) vs Healthy controls Mean number of missing teeth in OC cases vs controls · Adults in case-control studies (oral cancer patients vs healthy controls) · Not specified, Missing teeth (mean count) Periodontitis and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis of case-control studies. (2024) | SMD 0.59 [-0.04, 1.22] | 3 studies | Ungraded |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Burning sensation (VAS 0-100) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · More than 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -27.60 [-36.21, -18.99] | 1 study · 90 participants | Moderate |
Antioxidants (lycopene, curcumin, Oxitard) vs Placebo or no active treatment Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · 3 to 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 8.83 [8.22, 9.45] | 3 studies · 620 participants | Moderate |
Intralesional triamcinolone vs Intralesional triamcinolone plus salvianolic acid B Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · More than 6 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD -2.38 [-5.64, 0.88] | 1 study · 28 participants | Very low |
Vasodilators (isoxsuprine, xanthinol nicotinate) vs Placebo or no active treatment Maximal mouth opening (interincisal distance) · People of any age with a confirmed diagnosis, by clinical examination and biopsy, of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) · Less than 3 months Interventions for managing oral submucous fibrosis (2024) · Cochrane | MD 2.51 [-0.99, 6.01] | 2 studies · 85 participants | Very low |