Oral health effects of non-combustible nicotine products: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract Background Tobacco use is a global issue, and non-combustible nicotine products (NCNPs) like electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine pouches, snus, and nicotine replacement therapies offer potential risk/harm reduction for smokers unable or unwilling to quit. Although NCNPs are less...

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Main Authors: Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa, Cinzia Del Giovane, Eugenio Pedullà, Jan Kowalski, Iain Chapple, Silvia Minozzi, Amaliya Amaliya, Riccardo Polosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Systematic Reviews
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02839-7
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author Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
Cinzia Del Giovane
Eugenio Pedullà
Jan Kowalski
Iain Chapple
Silvia Minozzi
Amaliya Amaliya
Riccardo Polosa
author_facet Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
Cinzia Del Giovane
Eugenio Pedullà
Jan Kowalski
Iain Chapple
Silvia Minozzi
Amaliya Amaliya
Riccardo Polosa
author_sort Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Tobacco use is a global issue, and non-combustible nicotine products (NCNPs) like electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine pouches, snus, and nicotine replacement therapies offer potential risk/harm reduction for smokers unable or unwilling to quit. Although NCNPs are less harmful than tobacco smoking, their impact on oral health remains unclear. A systematic review and network meta-analysis will be conducted to answer the research question: What are the oral signs and symptoms associated with NCNPs as both monotherapies and combination therapies compared to each other, placebo, standard care, no drug treatment, and combustible cigarette smoking? Methods We will search PubMed and Scopus databases, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from inception to August 2024. This review will focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a minimum follow-up period of 1 month, comparing any NCNPs versus placebo, standard care, no drug treatment, combustible cigarette smoking or to each other in adult smokers. Our primary outcomes will be the number of participants reporting any oral side effect, aphthous ulcers, dry mouth and mouth irritation. Studies will be excluded if they involve: non-smokers, pregnant women, individuals with mental health or neurological disorders, participants consuming alcohol or other substances. Data will be analyzed using a network meta-analysis framework, estimating odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Risk of bias will be determined using the Cochrane risk of bias tool-version 2.0 for included RCTs and the Confidence In Network Meta-Analysis tool will be employed to assess the confidence of evidence contributing to each network estimate. Discussion Our findings will provide critical insights into the oral health implications of NCNPs, informing clinical and public health decisions. Results are expected by May 2025 and will be disseminated through publications and presentations to guide tobacco harm reduction strategies. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42024565118.
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spelling doaj-art-18ebffa4c2394eafa39badbdde0dc5d52025-08-20T02:17:53ZengBMCSystematic Reviews2046-40532025-04-0114111010.1186/s13643-025-02839-7Oral health effects of non-combustible nicotine products: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysisGiusy Rita Maria La Rosa0Cinzia Del Giovane1Eugenio Pedullà2Jan Kowalski3Iain Chapple4Silvia Minozzi5Amaliya Amaliya6Riccardo Polosa7Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of CataniaDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio EmiliaDepartment of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of CataniaDepartment of Periodontology, Medical University of WarsawPeriodontal Research Group, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, The University of BirminghamDepartment of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health ServiceDepartment of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas PadjadjaranDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of CataniaAbstract Background Tobacco use is a global issue, and non-combustible nicotine products (NCNPs) like electronic nicotine delivery systems, nicotine pouches, snus, and nicotine replacement therapies offer potential risk/harm reduction for smokers unable or unwilling to quit. Although NCNPs are less harmful than tobacco smoking, their impact on oral health remains unclear. A systematic review and network meta-analysis will be conducted to answer the research question: What are the oral signs and symptoms associated with NCNPs as both monotherapies and combination therapies compared to each other, placebo, standard care, no drug treatment, and combustible cigarette smoking? Methods We will search PubMed and Scopus databases, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from inception to August 2024. This review will focus on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a minimum follow-up period of 1 month, comparing any NCNPs versus placebo, standard care, no drug treatment, combustible cigarette smoking or to each other in adult smokers. Our primary outcomes will be the number of participants reporting any oral side effect, aphthous ulcers, dry mouth and mouth irritation. Studies will be excluded if they involve: non-smokers, pregnant women, individuals with mental health or neurological disorders, participants consuming alcohol or other substances. Data will be analyzed using a network meta-analysis framework, estimating odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Risk of bias will be determined using the Cochrane risk of bias tool-version 2.0 for included RCTs and the Confidence In Network Meta-Analysis tool will be employed to assess the confidence of evidence contributing to each network estimate. Discussion Our findings will provide critical insights into the oral health implications of NCNPs, informing clinical and public health decisions. Results are expected by May 2025 and will be disseminated through publications and presentations to guide tobacco harm reduction strategies. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42024565118.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02839-7Electronic nicotine delivery systemsNetwork meta-analysisNicotine replacement therapyNon-combustible nicotine productsOral healthOral side effect
spellingShingle Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa
Cinzia Del Giovane
Eugenio Pedullà
Jan Kowalski
Iain Chapple
Silvia Minozzi
Amaliya Amaliya
Riccardo Polosa
Oral health effects of non-combustible nicotine products: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Systematic Reviews
Electronic nicotine delivery systems
Network meta-analysis
Nicotine replacement therapy
Non-combustible nicotine products
Oral health
Oral side effect
title Oral health effects of non-combustible nicotine products: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_full Oral health effects of non-combustible nicotine products: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_fullStr Oral health effects of non-combustible nicotine products: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Oral health effects of non-combustible nicotine products: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_short Oral health effects of non-combustible nicotine products: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
title_sort oral health effects of non combustible nicotine products protocol for a systematic review and network meta analysis
topic Electronic nicotine delivery systems
Network meta-analysis
Nicotine replacement therapy
Non-combustible nicotine products
Oral health
Oral side effect
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-025-02839-7
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