Felipe Kramer1, Ángela Ortigoza2. 1. Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Proyecto Epistemonikos, Santiago, Chile. 2. Proyecto Epistemonikos, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Medicina Familiar, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Email: acortigoza@uc.cl. Address: Centro Evidencia UC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 476, Santiago, Chile.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Multiple interventions have been postulated for the treatment of tinnitus, but none has been established as clearly effective. Ginkgo biloba has been proposed among the alternatives. METHODS: To answer this question we used Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified three systematic reviews including four primary studies, all corresponding to randomized trials. We concluded the use of Ginkgo biloba probably does not decrease the severity of tinnitus. In addition, it does not reduce the intensity of tinnitus or improve the quality of life of patients.
INTRODUCTION: Multiple interventions have been postulated for the treatment of tinnitus, but none has been established as clearly effective. Ginkgo biloba has been proposed among the alternatives. METHODS: To answer this question we used Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified three systematic reviews including four primary studies, all corresponding to randomized trials. We concluded the use of Ginkgo biloba probably does not decrease the severity of tinnitus. In addition, it does not reduce the intensity of tinnitus or improve the quality of life of patients.