Peri-onset non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use and organ failure in acute pancreatitis: A multicenter retrospective analysis

Background: Organ failure (OF) of acute pancreatitis (AP) significantly contributes to AP-related mortality. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been associated with reduced complications of AP.

Aims: We aimed to investigate whether NSAIDs ameliorates SIRS and OF in patients with AP.

Methods: Eligible patients with AP were retrospectively identified in 4 hospitals between January 2015 and December 2018. Associations between peri-onset NSAIDs use (day -3 to day 3) and OF, persistent OF (POF), and SIRS within the first week were analyzed. Propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis and inverse probability of treatment-weighted (IPTW) analysis were used to estimate risk ratios.

Results: Among 1,528 patients with AP (97 [6.3%] with NSAIDs use), 242 (15.8%) developed organ failure, 89 (5.8%) progressed to POF, and 27 (1.8%) died within 3 months. PSM analysis showed no association between peri-onset NSAIDs and OF (risk ratio [RR], 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46 to 2.15) and POF (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.21 to 2.98). IPTW analysis yielded similar results. Patients with and without peri-onset NSAIDs use were comparable with respect to OF, POF, and SIRS across subgroups defined by COX-2 selectivity and dose.

Conclusion: Peri-onset NSAIDs use was not significantly associated with reduced OF.