The effects of adjunctive interventions on cervical skin health post-chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of adjunctive interventions, such as lubricants and suppositories, on cervical skin health during or after chemotherapy for cervical cancer patients. Databases, including Ovid Medline and EMBASE, were searched up to April 2024 for studies on the impact of adjunctive treatments on cervical health post-chemotherapy. Eligibility was limited to randomized controlled trials published in English. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model, with sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the findings. A total of 666 women from six studies were analyzed. The interventions significantly improved symptoms such as vaginal dryness, pain, and inflammation (RR: 0.32 to 0.56, 95% CI varying per symptom, I2 = 0–24%). However, no significant impact was observed for vaginal discharge (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.47–2.18). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of these results, with minimal heterogeneity observed. This meta-analysis indicates that adjunctive interventions are beneficial for improving certain chemotherapy-related symptoms in cervical cancer survivors. The results support the integration of these treatments into post-chemotherapy care regimens to enhance patient quality of life. Further research is needed to fully address all post-chemotherapy symptomatic needs.

Cervical cancer; Chemotherapy; Adjunctive interventions; Vaginal health; Meta-analysis

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