TY - JOUR
T1 - Little evidence available for arginine and caries prevention
AU - Richards, Derek
N1 - Commentary on "Ástvaldsdóttir Á, Naimi-Akbar A, Davidson T, Brolund A, Lintamo L, Attergren Granath A, Tranæus S, Östlund P. Arginine and Caries Prevention: A Systematic Review. Caries Res 2016; 50: 383–393. doi: 10.1159/000446249. Epub 2016 Jul 12"
PY - 2017/10/27
Y1 - 2017/10/27
N2 - Data sourcesPubMed, the Cochrane Library, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) and Embase.Data abstraction and synthesisTwo independent reviewers selected studies, abstracted data and assessed study quality using the GRADE criteria. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model.Study selectionRandomised controlled trials including in situ studies.ResultsSeven studies were included, five conducted in children and two in adults. The two adult studies and one child study were considered to be at high risk of bias. The remaining four child studies were considered to be at moderate risk of bias. These four studies compared 1450ppm fluoride toothpaste with 1.5% arginine against 1450ppm fluoride toothpaste as a control. Meta-analysis of three studies showed a positive effect on caries measured using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) in favour of arginine; mean difference -4.67, (95%CI, -6.34 to -3.01). The overall GRADE assessment of this was considered to be very low.ConclusionAt present there is insufficient evidence in support of a caries-preventive effect for the inclusion of arginine in toothpastes. More rigorous studies, and studies which are less dependent on commercial interests, are required.
AB - Data sourcesPubMed, the Cochrane Library, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD) and Embase.Data abstraction and synthesisTwo independent reviewers selected studies, abstracted data and assessed study quality using the GRADE criteria. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model.Study selectionRandomised controlled trials including in situ studies.ResultsSeven studies were included, five conducted in children and two in adults. The two adult studies and one child study were considered to be at high risk of bias. The remaining four child studies were considered to be at moderate risk of bias. These four studies compared 1450ppm fluoride toothpaste with 1.5% arginine against 1450ppm fluoride toothpaste as a control. Meta-analysis of three studies showed a positive effect on caries measured using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) in favour of arginine; mean difference -4.67, (95%CI, -6.34 to -3.01). The overall GRADE assessment of this was considered to be very low.ConclusionAt present there is insufficient evidence in support of a caries-preventive effect for the inclusion of arginine in toothpastes. More rigorous studies, and studies which are less dependent on commercial interests, are required.
U2 - 10.1038/sj.ebd.6401251
DO - 10.1038/sj.ebd.6401251
M3 - Comment/debate
C2 - 29075033
SN - 1462-0049
VL - 18
SP - 71
JO - Evidence-Based Dentistry
JF - Evidence-Based Dentistry
IS - 3
ER -