Table 6.

Primary outcomes of retained studies for ventilator-associated pneumonia (7 studies)

Interventions (CHX, Povidone Iodine, Toothbrushing)
Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX)
Outcome 1 No relationship	Outcome 2 Possible relationship (mixed results)	Outcome 3 Positive relationship
Klompas et al.19 No reductions in VAP with CHX   Villar et al.25 No overall reductions in VAP with CHX at 0.12%	Labeau et al.20 Subgroup analysis favoured only the 2% CHX application; results for cardio surgery patients were stronger   For 0.12% CHX, risk reduction was not significant	Villar et al.25 Only at 2% or administered 4x daily   Hua et al.17 CHX gel or mouthrinse as part of OHC reduced risk of VAP by 18%   Shi et al.24 Moderate evidence that CHX mouthrinse or gel as part of OHC reduced risk of VAP by 40%   Li et al.21 Overall oral care including CHX reduced risk of VAP but half the study group comprised cardiosurgical patients who do not qualify for VAP diagnosis, which may have influenced the results.
Povidone iodine
Outcome 1 No relationship	Outcome 2 Possible relationship (mixed results)	Outcome 3 Positive relationship
Labeau et al.20 Effects not significant   Li et al.21 Effects not significant	Shi et al.24 Weak evidence that Povidone Iodine is better than saline   Hua et al.17 Very weak evidence that Povidone Iodine is better than saline
Toothbrushing
Outcome 1 No relationship	Outcome 2 Possible relationship (mixed results)	Outcome 3 Positive relationship
Hua et al.17 No effect of either manual or power toothbrushing on reductions in VAP   Shi et al. 24 No effect of either manual or power toothbrushing on reductions in VAP   Gu et al.16 Did not significantly reduce incidence of VAP, mortality or length of ICU stay or days on ventilator