title: Comparison of triamcinolone acetonide mucoadhesive film with licorice mucoadhesive film on radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: A randomized double-blinded clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mucositis is a major complication of irradiation in head and neck tumors, the addition of chemotherapy to irradiation may enhance this dose-limiting problem. Licorice is a strong demulcent that had been effectively used in treatment of peptic ulcer. The main purpose of this study was to compare the therapeutic safety and efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide (T) and licorice (L) mucoadhesive films on oral mucositis in terms of pain control and/or ulcer treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a double-blind, randomized prospective trial of two types of mucoadhesive films in the management of oral mucositis that occurred during head and neck cancer radiotherapy. Oral mucositis was assessed using a quantitative scale (World Health Organization scales) and symptoms were assessed using visual analog scale. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study: 30 patients in the triamcinolone and 30 in the licorice group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With respect to visual analog scores, repeated observations in consecutive weeks showed a meaningful difference (P-value < 0.05), suggesting the efficacy of both T and L in reducing pain during radiotherapy. Comparison of the pain scores between two groups by independent sample t-test, however, demonstrated no meaningful difference in any consecutive week.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that both triamcinolone and licorice mucoadhesive films are effective in the management of oral mucositis during radiotherapy. Furthermore, comparison of the pain scores between two groups demonstrated no meaningful difference, although an overall trend to reduced oral discomfort was seen in the licorice group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Parichehr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ghalayani
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Emami
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Fahimeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pakravan
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasr Isfahani
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006035:Glycyrrhiza; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide
keywords: irradiation; licorice; mucoadhesive film; oral mucositis; triamcinolone acetonide