Effect of glutamine on oral mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy-radiotherapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: ،he aim of this study investigation of effect of glutamine on oral mucositis in patients undergoing chemotherapy-radiotherapy.Methods and Materials: The present study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, conducted on ۴۰ patients with head and neck tumors undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Each patient was placed in a group that receives the drug (Glutamine) or placebo (Maltodextrin) based on an even or odd number selected by the patient. Before starting chemotherapy, the mouth was examined by a trained last-year student and all patients received oral health education, including brushing and flossing. All patients (medication and placebo) took ۱۰ g of powder (dissolved in a glass of water) in three meals daily. Oral examination of patients was performed on zero, first, fourth, sixth and tenth days. All obtained data were coded and analyzed in by SPSS۲۱ software and by using t-test, chi-square and variance tests.Results: In the present study, ۳۹ patients underwent chemotherapy (female=۱۷, male=۲۲). At the beginning of study, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of mucositis severity. However, after two time intervals (۳ and ۷ after the start of study) and on the day ۱۰ of study, only two subjects in glutamine group were in grade ۱ of RTOG criteria and the rest were in grade ۰. In the placebo group, only ۲ subjects were grade ۱ and the rest were in grades ۲ and ۳. The mean duration of wound healing in the drug treatment group was ۴.۵ ± ۰.۵ days and its range was ۳-۹ days. Conclusion: Results of the present study showed that glutamine reduces pain and burning, and number of wounds. Keywords: Glutamine, Oral mucositis, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy

Keywords:

Glutamine , Oral mucositis , Chemotherapy , radiotherapy