Pharmacological interventions for treating sialorrhea associated with neurological disorders: A mixed treatment network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Sialorrhea is a common distress associated with certain neurological disorders. The aim of this study is to compare the pharmacological agents used for treating sialorrhea by network meta-analysis. Electronic databases were searched for randomized clinical trials comparing active drugs with either placebo or other active drugs. Total drooling scores was the primary outcome measure. Inverse variance heterogeneity model was used for both direct and mixed treatment comparison analysis. Twenty one studies were included in the systematic review and 15 in the meta-analysis. Compared to placebo, benztropine, botulinum toxins A and B are associated with a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of drooling both in the overall neurological disorders as well as for children with cerebral palsy. Only botulinum toxin A and B were associated with significant therapeutic effects in Parkinson's disease. Benztropine and botulinum toxins A and B were observed to be effective in reducing sialorrhea associated with neurological disorders.