Background and study aims: Rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to reduce the incidence
of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP). The
aim of this study was to determine whether intramuscular diclofenac reduces the risk
of PEP.
Patients and methods: Patients who underwent ERCP were randomized to receive either 90 mg of diclofenac
or placebo by intramuscular injection immediately after the procedure. PEP was defined
as elevated serum amylase levels (at least three times the upper limit of normal 24
hours after the procedure) associated with new or worsened upper abdominal, epigastric,
or back pain.
Results: In total, 380 patients were randomized, and 343 were eligible for analysis. The two
groups were similar regarding clinical and demographic factors, as well as patient-
and procedure-related risk factors for PEP. PEP developed in 20/170 patients (11.8 %)
in the placebo group and in 22/173 patients (12.7 %) in the diclofenac group (P = 0.87). Multivariate regression analysis failed to illustrate that intramuscular
diclofenac prevented PEP (odds ratio 0.79; 95 % confidence interval 0.39 – 1.25; P = 0.51).
Conclusion: Prophylactic intramuscular diclofenac had no beneficial preventive effect on PEP.
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01717599.