Effect of atorvastatin 1% mouthwash in the prevention of radiotherapy induced mucositis: A pilot study

Oral mucositis is a troublesome symptom for people who receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy and it is a dose-dependent factor. Atorvastatin is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and various studies have proven its anti-inflammatory effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate atorvastatin 1% mouthwash effects in prevention of radiotherapy-induced mucositis.

Atorvastatin 1% suspension was prepared for mouthwash in this randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Thirty patients randomly received atorvastatin or placebo mouthwash. They had to gargle 5cc of mouthwash, 3 times per day during radiotherapy. The severity and pain of mucositis was evaluated every week, during their treatment.

The severity of mucositis between the two study groups was significant every four weeks (p<0.05) and the percentage of patients with more severe mucositis was less in the atorvastatin group. It is found that the pain intensity was lower after 3 and 4 weeks in atorvastatin group.

These findings indicated that atorvastatin mouthwash showed a significant activity in relieving of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis and pain.