RESUMEN
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] forever 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