How effective are treatments other than antibiotics for acute sore throat?
To estimate the benefits of treatments other than antibiotics for acute sore throat, and the differences between non-antibiotic interventions and controls in patient-perceived pain of sore throat, a systematic review of controlled trials in Medline and the Cochrane Library was carried out. Sixty-six randomised controlled trials (with or without additional antibiotics) were identified and 17 met the selection criteria. Twenty-two non-antibiotic managements for sore throat were compared. Their efficacy relative to placebo ranged from no effect to 93%. Some non-antibiotic treatments may be more effective than antibiotics; however, publication bias may have exaggerated the benefits. These treatments should be investigated further with respect to efficacy, safety, and side-effects as potential firstline management options for acute sore throat.
Thomas
M
M
Centre for General Practice, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia.
Del Mar
C
C
Glasziou
P
P
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D000082:Acetaminophen; D007052:Ibuprofen