Vitamin D oral gel for prevention of radiation‐induced oral mucositis

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

Abstract

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 & 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.