Authors: POTTING, C.M.J.; UITTERHOEVE, R.¹; OP REIMER, W.SCHOLTE²; VAN ACHTERBERG, T.³

Source: European Journal of Cancer Care, Volume 15, Number 5, December 2006 , pp. 431-439(9)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

POTTING C.M.J., UITTERHOEVE R., OP REIMER W.SCHOLTE & VAN ACHTERBERG T. (2006) European Journal of Cancer Care15, 431-439

The effectiveness of commonly used mouthwashes for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a systematic review

Daily chlorhexidine mouthwash is often recommended for preventing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Povidone-iodine, NaCl 0.9%, water salt soda solution and chamomile mouthwash are also recommended. However, the effectiveness of these mouthwashes is unclear. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to assess the effectiveness of mouthwashes in preventing and ameliorating chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Based on study quality, three out of five randomized controlled trials were included in a meta-analysis. The results failed to detect any beneficial effects of chlorhexidine as compared with sterile water, or NaCl 0.9%. Patients complained about negative side-effects of chlorhexidine, including teeth discoloration and alteration of taste in two of the five studies on chlorhexidine. The severity of oral mucositis was shown to be reduced by 30% using a povidone-iodine mouthwash as compared with sterile water in a single randomized controlled trial. These results do not support the use of chlorhexidine mouthwash to prevent oral mucositis.

Keywords: oral mucositis; chemotherapy; mouthwashes; chlorhexidine; oral care

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2354.2006.00684.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre 2: Department of Cardiology, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam 3: Centre for Quality of Care Research, Department of Nursing Science, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, the Netherlands

Publication date: 2006-12-01

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