Hm. Vanrijkom et al., A META ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL-STUDIES ON THE CARIES INHIBITING EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE TREATMENT, Journal of dental research, 75(2), 1996, pp. 790-795
A meta-analysis was performed on published data on the caries-inhibiti
ng effect of chlorhexidine treatment. The results of the various studi
es are difficult to evaluate because of various treatment procedures,
dissimilar features of participants, and different presentations of st
udy results. A meta-analysis provides a more structured approach than
the traditional review, due to systematic analysis and numerical proce
ssing of the available information. The objectives of this meta-analys
is were: (1) to assess a more accurate estimate of the caries-inhibiti
ng effect of chlorhexidine treatment than provided by individual studi
es, and (2) to explore factors potentially modifying the effect of chl
orhexidine treatment in caries prevention, i.e., the application metho
d, application frequency, target population, the fluoride regime, and
caries criteria. Caries reduction was expressed by the prevented fract
ion, indicating the percentage reduction of caries incidence in the ch
lorhexidine group. For all prevented fractions, 95% confidence interva
ls were calculated. The overall caries-inhibiting effect of the chlorh
exidine treatment studies was 46% (95% CI = 35% - 57%). Multiple-regre
ssion analysis showed no significant influence on the prevented fracti
ons for the variables ''application method'', ''application frequency'
', ''caries risk'', ''fluoride regime'', ''caries diagnosis'', and ''t
ooth surface''.