Bicarbonate Versus Alternative Treatments in Chemotherapy Oral Mucositis in Children: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
Millena Fernandes Silva Muniz
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Gabriela Fonseca Rocha
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Henrique Costa dos Santos *
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Ana Cláudia Rocha Protásio
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Edwin Cardoso Neves
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Rafael Santiago de Almeida
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Valéria Medeiros Claudino
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Olga Dumont Flecha
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the effectiveness of alternative treatments (honey, olive oil, aloe vera) in children with chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis, compared to the use of sodium bicarbonate.
Study Design: The study consists of a systematic and qualitative review using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines through a search for articles was conducted in May 2024 in the PubMed, VHL, Embase and Google Scholar databases, with the following terms in the search strategy: Mucositis AND Child AND Chemotherapy AND Clinical Trial, including clinical trials that met the eligibility criteria.
Results: Three randomized clinical trials comparing the use of olive oil, honey and aloe vera with sodium bicarbonate were analyzed and classified as moderate risk of bias. The alternative treatments were effective in reducing oral mucositis and delaying its onset, with statistically significant differences in relation to bicarbonate.
Conclusion: It seems that honey, olive oil and aloe vera may be a promising approach to minimizing the symptoms of this condition, as well as being more accessible and practical options for improving patients' quality of life.
Keywords: Oral mucositis, children, alternative treatment, sodium bicarbonate