Editorial
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2011; 17(42): 4647-4653
Published online Nov 14, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i42.4647
Prevention and management of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-induced small intestinal injury
Sung Chul Park, Hoon Jai Chun, Chang Don Kang, Donggeun Sul
Sung Chul Park, Chang Don Kang, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon 200-722, South Korea
Hoon Jai Chun, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 136-705, South Korea
Donggeun Sul, Graduate School of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 136-705, South Korea
Author contributions: Park SC and Chun HJ wrote the article; Kang CD and Sul D assisted in drafting and revising the paper.
Correspondence to: Hoon Jai Chun, MD, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, 126-1, Anam-dong 5 ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-705, South Korea. drchunhj@chol.com
Telephone: +82-2-9206555 Fax: +82-2-9531943
Received: March 15, 2011
Revised: April 21, 2011
Accepted: April 28, 2011
Published online: November 14, 2011
Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced small bowel injury is a topic that deserves attention since the advent of capsule endoscopy and balloon enteroscopy. NSAID enteropathy is common and is mostly asymptomatic. However, massive bleeding, stricture, or perforation may occur. The pathogenesis of small intestine injury by NSAIDs is complex and different from that of the upper gastrointestinal tract. No drug has yet been developed that can completely prevent or treat NSAID enteropathy. Therefore, a long-term randomized study in chronic NSAID users is needed.

Keywords: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Small intestinal injury, Prevention, Treatment