Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of pyridoxine supplements in the management of hand-foot syndrome during chemotherapy: a meta-analysis

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#antineoplastic-agents #dietary-supplements #disease-management #hand-foot-syndrome #humans

Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of pyridoxine supplements in the management of hand-foot syndrome during chemotherapy: a meta-analysis

Jo et al., 2015 | Clin Exp Dermatol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Jo S J, Shin H, ... Myung S-K. Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of pyridoxine supplements in the management of hand-foot syndrome during chemotherapy: a meta-analysis. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015-Apr;40(3):260-70. doi:10.1111/ced.12538

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a common cutaneous side effect of certain systemic chemotherapeutic agents. AIM: To assess the efficacy of pyridoxine supplements in the management of HFS. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies reporting the efficacy of pyridoxine supplements to manage HFS. We performed a meta-analysis using HFS incidence and improvement rates to measure the preventive and treatment efficacy of pyridoxine supplementation. RESULTS: We assessed eight studies [two retrospective studies, two prospective comparative trials and four randomized controlled trials (RCTs)] for preventive efficacy and three studies (one RCT and two non-RCTs) for treatment efficacy. A random-effects meta-analysis did not find any significant association between prophylactic pyridoxine supplementation and HFS development [relative risk (RR) = 0.95; 95% CI 0.87-1.05) or any significant preventive efficacy against HFS in subgroup meta-analyses of study design, chemotherapeutic agents, pyridoxine dose, HFS severity, publication year or observation period. However, pyridoxine did show significant efficacy in treating HFS (RR = 1.75; 95% CI 1.09-2.80), but did not show efficacy in the only RCT (RR = 1.12; 95% CI 0.58-2.14). CONCLUSIONS: We found no clinical evidence to support the use of pyridoxine supplements to prevent HFS during chemotherapy.

Key Findings

We assessed eight studies [two retrospective studies, two prospective comparative trials and four randomized controlled trials (RCTs)] for preventive efficacy and three studies (one RCT and two non-RCTs) for treatment efficacy. A random-effects meta-analysis did not find any significant association between prophylactic pyridoxine supplementation and HFS development [relative risk (RR) = 0.95; 95% CI 0.87-1.05) or any significant preventive efficacy against HFS in subgroup meta-analyses of study

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Disease Management
  • Hand-Foot Syndrome
  • Humans
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pyridoxine
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vitamin B Complex

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-b6

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09