Vitamin D oral gel for prevention of radiation‐induced oral mucositis: A randomized clinical trial

• Published in: Oral diseases 2021-07, Vol.27 (5), p.1197-1204
• Main Authors: Bakr, Islam S., Zaki, Azza M., El‐Moslemany, Riham M., Elsaka, Rasha O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical trials; Dentistry; Head & neck cancer; Mucositis; oral mucositis; Pain; Pain perception; Patients; Radiation therapy; radiotherapy; Remission; topical oral vitamin D; Vitamin D
• ISSN: 1354-523X; 1601-0825
• DOI: 10.1111/odi.13650

Objectives The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of topical oral vitamin D gel in prevention of radiation‐induced oral mucositis. Material and Methods A three‐armed randomized controlled clinical trial on forty‐five head and neck cancer patients was conducted. First group: conventional treatment. Second group: Topical oral vitamin D gel. Third group: topical oral vitamin D gel plus the conventional treatment. All the patients were examined clinically three and six weeks after the start of radiotherapy for pain and WHO mucositis score. Results After 6 weeks of radiotherapy, (33.5%) the patients in control group developed high‐grade severity of oral mucositis while the patients in the two‐test groups “vitamin D group and combined therapy group” remained with low‐grade severity or with complete remission. Mean pain scores showed a significant decrease in the combined therapy group and to a close degree in vitamin D group rather than the control group. Conclusion Topical oral vitamin D gel has a beneficial effect in lowering oral mucositis development and in reducing pain sensation during the radiation period especially when combined with conventional therapeutic agents.