Comment in Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Aug;95(8):1859-61. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and exacerbation or onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Sixty consecutive IBD patients admitted to the hospital were carefully interviewed to ascertain whether they used NSAIDs and the relationship in time and duration to the exacerbation (or onset) of the IBD; 62 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were similarly interviewed and served as controls. RESULTS: In 31% of our IBD population there was a correlation between use of NSAIDs and IBD activity, whereas in only 2% of the irritable bowel syndrome population who used NSAIDs did this relationship exist. CONCLUSIONS: NSAIDs provoke disease activity in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and should be avoided in patients with a history of IBD whenever possible.