OBJECTIVE: To identify therapeutic measures to reduce the severity of oral mucositis in adult patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT). METHODS: A systematic review using the following databases: LILACS, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central) and DARE (Database of abstracts of reviews of effects), for the period between 1972 to July 2010, using the key words mucositis, stomatitis and bone marrow transplantation. RESULTS: We identified 3,839 abstracts, 22 of which were included in the systematic review; these articles identified 14 topical and systemic interventions, among which eight showed statistical significance for the reduction of this complication. The topical therapies were: cryotherapy, chlorhexidine, glutamine, laser and Traumeel ®. The systemic therapies were: amifostine, Granulokine ®, and palifermin. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneity of the results of these interventions and the lack of better elucidation for healthcare practice indicate the need for more accurate research to identify the effectiveness of topical therapies for repair of mucosal cells.
Mucositis; therapy; Stomatitis; Bone marrow grafted; Nursing care
