A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 32 studies with a total of 1 505 subjects. Three comparisons for mucositis treatment including two or more trials were: benzydamine HCl versus placebo, sucralfate versus placebo and low level laser versus sham procedure. Only the low level laser showed a reduction in severe mucositis when compared with the sham procedure (RR 5.28, 95% CI 2.30 to 12.13; 2 studies, n=57).
Only 3 comparisons included more than one trial for pain control: patient controlled analgesia (PCA) compared to the continuous infusion method, therapist versus control, cognitive behaviour therapy versus control. There was no evidence of a difference in mean pain score between PCA and continuous infusion, however, less opiate was used per hour for PCA (MD 0.65 mg/hour, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.20; 3 studies, n=113), and the duration of pain was less (1.9 days, 95% CI 0.3 to 3.5).
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (unclear allocation concealment), by inconsistency (heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes), and by imprecise results (limited study size for each comparison).
Primary/Secondary Keywords