HOW EFFECTIVE ARE
TREATMENTS OTHER THAN ANTIBIOTICS FOR ACUTE SORE THROAT?
Thomas M, et al. Br J Gen Pract.
2000 Oct;50(459):817-20.
To estimate the benefits of treatments other than
antibiotics for acute sore throat, and the differences between non-antibiotic
interventions and controls in patient-perceived pain of sore throat, a
systematic review of controlled trials in Medline and the Cochrane Library was
carried out. Sixty-six randomised controlled trials
(with or without additional antibiotics) were identified and 17 met the
selection criteria. Twenty-two non-antibiotic managements for sore throat were
compared. Their efficacy relative to placebo ranged from no effect to 93%. Some
non-antibiotic treatments may be more effective than antibiotics; however,
publication bias may have exaggerated the benefits. These treatments should be
investigated further with respect to efficacy, safety, and side-effects as
potential firstline management options for acute sore
throat.