Comparison of early aggressive versus nonaggressive fluid resuscitation in acute pancreatitis: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Early fluid resuscitation is one of the main therapeutic strategies for acute pancreatitis (AP). This study investigated the effects of early aggressive and nonaggressive hydration on AP. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the differences between aggressive and nonaggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation in AP. DESIGN: This study was based on publicly available data, all of which have been extracted from previous ethically approved studies. DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: Two authors systematically searched PubMed, Embase (via OVID), Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to find all published research before February 2023. In-hospital mortality were set as primary endpoints. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and eight cohort studies with 4072 individuals in nonaggressive (n = 2419) and aggressive (n = 1653) hydration groups. The results showed that patients in the nonaggressive group had a lower mortality rate than those in the aggressive hydration group [relative risks (RR), 0.66; p = 0.02]. Subgroup analysis results showed that patients in the nonaggressive hydration group had lower mortality rates in RCTs (RR, 0.39; p = 0.001), studies conducted in Eastern countries (RR, 0.63; p = 0.002), and studies with severe pancreatitis (RR, 0.65; p = 0.02). In addition, the nonaggressive hydration group had lower rates of infection (RR, 0.62; p < 0.001), organ failure (RR, 0.65; p = 0.02), and shock (RR, 0.21; p = 0.02), as well as a shorter hospital stay (weighted mean difference, −1.63; p = 0.001) than the aggressive hydration group. CONCLUSIONS: Early nonaggressive fluid resuscitation is associated with lower mortality, lower risk of organ failure and infection, and shorter hospital stays than aggressive fluid resuscitation. REGISTRATION (PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER): CRD42023396388.