Evaluating the statistical methodology of randomized trials on dentin hypersensitivity management

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and quality of statistical methodology used in clinical studies on dentin hypersensitivity management. An electronic search was performed for data published from 2009 to 2014 by using PubMed, Ovid/MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases. The primary search terms were used in combination. Eligibility criteria included randomized clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy of desensitizing agents in terms of reducing dentin hypersensitivity. A total of 40 studies were considered eligible for assessment of quality statistical methodology. The four main concerns identified were i) use of nonparametric tests in the presence of large samples, coupled with lack of information about normality and equality of variances of the response; ii) lack of P-value adjustment for multiple comparisons; iii) failure to account for interactions between treatment and follow-up time; and iv) no information about the number of teeth examined per patient and the consequent lack of cluster-specific approach in data analysis. Owing to these concerns, statistical methodology was judged as inappropriate in 77.1% of the 35 studies that used parametric methods. Additional studies with appropriate statistical analysis are required to obtain appropriate assessment of the efficacy of desensitizing agents.

Comparative efficacy of BioMin-F, Colgate Sensitive Pro-relief and Sensodyne Rapid Action in relieving dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized controlled trial

“…In our study, patient compliance related to the recommended time of application and method of the application provided by doctors was controlled by subjecting multiple efficacy intervals and different methods for assessment of the change in pain scores due to DH. A meta-analysis by Matranga et al [ 41 ] was performed in 2017 and reported inappropriate statistical methodologies related to the normal distribution of data and equality of variances, along with lacking information in 77.1% of the thirty-five randomised trials on DH management. Therefore, the current study outcomes were analysed by parametric and non-parametric statistical tests after assessing the normal distribution of data and equality of variances with Shapiro Wilk statistics.…”

Barniz polimerizable de vidrio ionómero modificado con resina “Clinpro XT”: una alternativa de tratamiento para la sensibilidad dentaria. Revisión sistemática de la literatura

“…Avances en salud oral han permitido el mantenimiento de las piezas dentales en la cavidad oral por tiempo maś prolongado, junto a esto han aumentado afecciones dentales como la SD (4) , con una prevalencia que varıá de 1,34% a 82,1%, según la población, metodologıá (5) y criterios diagnósticos utilizados (6), el rango de edad maś común es 20 a 50 años (7,8), predominantemente en pacientes femeninos (2,7,9) , siendo caninos y primeros premolares los dientes más frecuentemente afectados por su posición prominente en los arcos maxilar y mandibular (7). Esta condición clıńica puede perturbar y restringir a las personas durante las actividades diarias, como la interacción social, alimentación y bebida (1,10) , cepillado de dientes, incluso respiración (6) lo que tiene un efecto negativo en la calidad de vida del individuo (10)(11)(12). La teorıá más aceptada para explicar el mecanismo de la SD, es la teorıá hidrodinámica de Brannstrom, según esta, los estıḿulos táctiles, quıḿicos, osmóticos y teŕmicos sobre túbulos dentinarios expuestos de la cavidad oral, producen movimiento de �luidos dentro de los túbulos, hacia o en dirección opuesta a la pulpa, estimulando los mecanorreceptores que causan la sensación de dolor (13) .…”