The Effect of Cigarettes on Acute Pancreatitis among Patients in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and purpose: Questions remain unclear about the association of smoking status and the development of acute pancreatitis (AP). We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies to explore this association. Materials and Methods: A computerized literature search was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE through October 15, 2016. We also searched the reference lists of pertinent articles. We used a rand om-effects model to calculate the summary relative risks (SRRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 8 observational studies (4 case control and 4 prospective cohort/nested case control studies) were identified. Compared with never smokers, the summary RR estimates were 1.49 (95% CI, 1.29-1.78) for ever smokers, 1.69 (95% CI, 1.42-2.21) for current smokers, and 1.19 (95% CI, 1.11-1.52) for former smokers. Smoking is found to be a potential risk factor for alcohol use, idiopathic factors and drugs related AP, but not for gallstone related AP, in the ever and current smokers. A dose response effect of tobacco use on the risk was ascertained: current smokers had a 40% (95% CI, 30%-50%) increased risk of AP for every additional 10 cigarettes per day. Conclusion: The current analysis suggests that smokers have an elevated risk of AP development. Further studies, however, are warranted before definitive conclusions can be drawn.