SynthesisPalliative medicine2026
Dry mouth in palliative care: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines around the world.
Synthesis in Palliative medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDry mouth is a disruptive symptom in patients with life-limiting illnesses. It has one of the highest symptom burdens in palliative care and a significant impact on quality of life. Nonetheless, dry mouth remains an underacknowledged and undertreated symptom with limited evidence-based interventions.
aimTo examine the quality and content of guidelines for the treatment of dry mouth in patients with life-limiting illnesses.
designA systematic review of clinical practice guidelines was conducted (preregistered in PROSPERO in 2023). PRISMA reporting guidelines were followed. The search strategy involved 4 scientific databases and 9 guideline databases, targeted searches and stakeholder outreach for 183 countries/regions. Quality and content were analysed using the AGREE II instrument and directed content analysis, respectively. DATA SOURCES: Seventy-two clinical practice guidelines from 42 countries across 6 continents were included.
resultsOnly two guidelines were recommended for use based on the AGREE II quality appraisal. Four main themes emerged from the content analysis: (1) Assessment of dry mouth by medical history, oral examination and measuring instruments (
conclusionDespite differences in quality and comprehensiveness of guidelines for treatment of dry mouth in palliative care, many care practices are shared worldwide. This review highlights the need for methodologically robust guidelines with a strong evidence base that specifically focus on dry mouth.
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