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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-07-2019 | Radiotherapy | Review Article

Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of honey on radiochemotherapy-induced mucositis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors: Tzu-Ming Liu, Yu-Wei Luo, Ka-Wai Tam, Chia-Chin Lin, Tsai-Wei Huang

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 7/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Oral mucositis is a common side effect of radiochemotherapy and may adversely affect the patients’ quality of life (QoL). Honey application may reduce the mucositis grade in patients. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of honey on radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.

Methods

Publications on RCTs were extracted from the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases. The primary outcomes were mucositis grades and pain scores. Secondary outcomes were the recovery time and QoL. The study was registered with PROSPERO (number CRD42018108486).

Results

Nineteen RCTs, involving 1276 patients, were reviewed. Honey considerably mitigated oral mucositis in both prophylactic and therapeutic phases. In the prophylactic phase, intolerable mucositis development was significantly prevented in the honey-treated group (RR = 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.09 to 0.41). Patients treated with honey showed significant decrease in pain scores in the first month of treatment (weighted mean difference [WMD] = − 3.25, 95% CI = − 4.41 to − 2.09) and at the end of the treatment (WMD = − 2.32, 95% CI = − 4.47 to − 0.18).

Conclusion

Honey, which is relatively cheap and easily available, prevented mucositis and effectively mitigate mucositis in patients after radiochemotherapy. Moreover, it significantly reduced the mucositis grade and engendered a fast and painless healing process. Therefore, honey use during and after radiochemotherapy is recommended for mucositis prevention and treatment.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of honey on radiochemotherapy-induced mucositis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tzu-Ming Liu
Yu-Wei Luo
Ka-Wai Tam
Chia-Chin Lin
Tsai-Wei Huang
Publication date: 01-07-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Radiotherapy
Cytostatic Therapy
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 7/2019
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04722-3

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