A Review of the Quality of Extant Clinical Practice Guidelines in Cancer Therapy-Induced Mucositis

Context: Oral mucositis is a common complication in patients with cancer therapy. Oral and dental care should be considered as a vital component of caring before, during and after chemotherapy. This study aimed to assess the methodological quality of existing CPGs about cancer therapy-induced mucositis.
Evidence Acquisition: We conducted a review of extant CPGs for the management of mucositis. After screening the guidelines based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, three CPGs were selected and assessed by 5 appraisers by using AGREE II instrument.
Assessed CPGs gained the highest scores in the clarity of the presentation domain. Scope, purpose (median score, 63.3%), and stakeholder involvement (median score, 54.4%) were found respectively and the lowest scores were in editorial independence domain. The scores in applicability (median score, 30%), rigor of development (median score, 28.8%), and editorial independence (median score, 26.7%) domains were unfavorable. Also, every appraiser scored the overall quality of CPGs.
Quality of mucositis CPGs needs to be improved. In other words, designing high-quality CPGs in this area is necessary.