Tolerance of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

We sought to examine whether use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in an outpatient inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population is associated with an increased likelihood of active disease.

We reviewed records of initial outpatient visits of IBD patients to the principal author from June 1995 to December 1997, with regard to use of aspirin and other NSAIDs and disease activity.

Of 40 Crohn's patients seen with active disease, three (7.5%) were using NSAIDs; 14 of 72 (19.4%) Crohn's patients seen with inactive disease were using NSAIDs. Fifty-eight ulcerative colitis patients were seen with active disease, with eight (13.7%) using NSAIDs. Among 21 UC patients initially seen while in remission, five (23.8%) were using NSAIDs.

Among this group of outpatients, NSAID use was not associated with a higher likelihood of active IBD. NSAID use in IBD deserves further study before recommending that patients refrain from their use under all circumstances.