Fatal acute pancreatitis.

Review of all deaths from acute pancreatitis recorded at Glasgow Royal Infirmary between 1974 and 1984 identified 126 patients, 53 (42%) of whom had pancreatitis first diagnosed at necropsy. Aetiologies of the fatal attacks of pancreatitis included gall stones (30%), alcohol (15%), other identified aetiological factors (17%), and was unknown (38%). Overall mortality fell from 14.9% in the early half of the study to 10.8% in the latter half although in the 73 patients in whom the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was made during life, the mortality rate was unchanged throughout. Within the group of 73 patients diagnosed during life deaths from gall stone pancreatitis have fallen by almost 50% suggesting that improved treatment of this subgroup may have occurred. The findings of this study lend support to the concept of early, complete clearance of calculi from the biliary tree, either by an endoscopic or surgical approach.     

Early systemic anticoagulation reduces hospital readmission in acute necrotizing pancreatitis patients: A retrospective cohort study

Background: Early systemic anticoagulation(SAC) is a common practice in acute necrotizing pancreatitis(ANP), and its impact on in-hospital clinical outcomes had been assessed. However, whether it affects long-term outcomes is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SAC on 90-day readmission and other long-term outcomes in ANP patients. Methods: During January 2013 and December 2018, ANP patients admitted within 7 days from the onset of abdominal pain were screened. The primary outcom...     

高三酰甘油血症急性胰腺炎的特点与处理

胆结石和高三酰甘油是中国急性胰腺炎最常见的两大病因,高三酰甘油血症急性胰腺炎(HTGP)患者较年轻、男性较多、更易合并2型糖尿病、肥胖等,且并发症发生率更高、病情更重.HTGP最初的支持治疗与其他病因导致的急性胰腺炎类似,另外还采用降低血清三酰甘油水平的特殊治疗,包括肝素、胰岛素的输注、血浆置换、血液滤过等,后期生活方...     

Pancreatic cancer causing acute pancreatitis: a comparative study with cancer patients without pancreatitis and pancreatitis patients without cancer

Background/purpose

Although pancreatic cancer produces upstream obstructive pancreatitis, acute pancreatitis is a less common manifestation of pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to clarify the subgroup of pancreatic cancer patients who present with an episode of acute pancreatitis (Group I) in comparison with a matched group of pancreatic cancer patients without pancreatitis (Group II) and another group of acute pancreatitis patients without pancreatic cancer (Group III).

Methods

This was a retrospective comparative study of 18 patients in Group I, 300 patients in Group II and 141 patients in Group III.

Results

The mean age of Group I was 63.7 years and the male to female ration was 1:0.3. Serum CA 19-9 levels were elevated in 80 %. The main pancreatic duct was incompletely obstructed in 7 patients. There were no significant differences in location of tumor, clinical stage, resection rate and survival months between Group I and II. Acute pancreatitis secondary to pancreatic cancer was more likely to be mild (94 vs. 72 %, p < 0.05) and relapsed (39 vs. 16 %, p < 0.05) compared with Group III.

Conclusions

Anatomic evaluation of the pancreas should be performed in patients with acute pancreatitis with no obvious etiology, even if the pancreatitis is mild, to search for underlying malignancy.     

Low-grade inflammation for predicting severe acute pancreatitis in patients with hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the association between low-grade inflammation (LGI) and the severity of hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 311 patients with HTG-AP who were admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology, Fujian Provincial Hospital between April 2012 and March 2021. Inpatient medical and radiological records were reviewed to collect the clinical manifestations, disease severity, and comorbidities. C-reactive protein (CRP) level, white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet (PLT) count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were considered LGI components and were combined to calculate a standardized LGI score. The association between the LGI score and the severity of HTG-AP was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of the 311 patients with HTG-AP, 47 (15.1%) had mild acute pancreatitis (MAP), 184 (59.2%) had moderately severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP), and 80 (25.7%) had severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), respectively. Patients with MSAP and SAP had a higher LGI score than those with MAP (1.50 vs −6.00, P < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with LGI scores in the fourth quartile were more likely to have MSAP and SAP (odds ratio [OR] 21.925, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.014–95.867, P < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that low calcium (OR 0.105, 95% CI 0.011–0.969, P = 0.047) and high LGI score (OR 1.253, 95% CI 1.066–1.473, P = 0.006) were associated with MSAP and SAP. When predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis, the LGI score had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.7737) compared to its individual components.

Conclusion

An elevated LGI score was associated with a higher risk of SAP in patients with HTG-AP.     

Outcome assessment in acute pancreatitis patients

Early diagnosis and severity evaluation in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) are very important due to its potential morbidity and mortality. Several clinical, laboratory, and radiologic factors, and many scoring systems have been proposed for outcome prediction. Although the Ranson and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scoring systems have been widely used for decades, the cumbersome components partly limit their predictability. Recently, the Bedside Index for Severity in AP scoring system and series blood urea nitrogen changes, which are simple and convenient to evaluate within 24 hours after admission, have been validated for accuracy by several large-cohort studies. The presence of organ failure and systemic inflammatory response syndrome are also helpful to evaluate the severity of AP. Herein we review recent advances of the predictive methods for AP to provide an up-to-date perspective on outcome assessment of AP.     

胆囊摘除术后急性胰腺炎的病因探讨

目的 探讨胆囊摘除术后患者发生急性胰腺炎的常见病因.方法 收集近2年来的急性胰腺炎患者222例,根据超声及内镜下逆行胰胆管造影术(endoscopic retrograde holangiopan-creatography, ERCP)的检查结果,进行回顾性分析和比较.结果 222例患者中,单纯胆囊摘除术后发生急性胰腺炎的患者有43例(男性20例,平均年龄53.6岁,女性23例,平均年龄57.0岁),其中胆总管扩张伴胆总管结石的概率为66.7%(24/36),与胆总管无扩张但发生胆总管结石的概率(57.1%,4/7)相比无显著差异(P ＞ 0.05).超声未发现结石的患者中,十二指肠乳头炎发生率为37.9%(11/29).结论 胆囊摘除术后发生急性胰腺炎的病因中以胆总管结石为主,其次为十二指肠乳头炎.     

Fatal acute pancreatitis complicated by pancreatic pseudocysts in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Pancreatitis is a relatively rare but severe manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. We report a case of a 39-year-old woman with previous SLE diagnose treated with prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil who developed an acute pancreatitis complicated by pancreatic pseudocysts within the context of a severe lupus flare. Elevated serum amylase and computerized tomography confirmed the diagnosis and mechanical obstruction or toxic-metabolic etiologies were ruled out. In the present case, we opted for the clinical surveillance of pancreatic pseudocyst and not perform invasive medical procedures to drainage. A steroid therapy was started in order to achieve SLE and pancreatitis remission, however, it was unable to avoid the development of multiorgan failure and patient died a few days after diagnosis was made.     

影响重症胰腺炎预后的早期危险因素分析

目的探讨影响重症急性胰腺炎（severe acute pancreatitis,SAP）预后的早期危险因素。方法回顾性分析2000年1月至2010年12月间我院收治的SAP患者90例,按预后分为死亡组（37例）和生存组（53例）。分析比较两组患者临床资料及人院24h内实验室检查指标的差异,并通过Logistic回归分析筛选与预后有关的危险因素。结果死亡组患者年龄、血糖显著高于生存组（JP〈0．05）。死亡组患者动脉血氧分压、血钙、血清白蛋白显著低于生存组（P〈0．05）。高龄（OR=1．589．95％CI：1．195～2．114,P〈0．05）,动脉血氧分压（OR=0．055,95％CI：0．004—0．700,P〈0．05）、血清白蛋白（OR=0．850,95％CI：0．752～0．960,P〈0．05）是影响SAP预后的早期因素。结论高龄、低动脉血氧分压、低血清白蛋白可能是影响SAP预后的早期危险因素。     

Severe acute pancreatitis: prognostic factors in 270 consecutive patients

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common abdominal disorder with severity varying from mild to fatal disease. Predicting a patient's outcome remains problematic. The aim of this study was to analyze a large consecutive series of patients with severe AP and to identify prognostic factors for hospital mortality. Between 1989 and 1997, a consecutive series of 270 patients with severe AP were included in the study. All patients fulfilled the criteria of Atlanta classification for severe AP. Retrospectively and prospectively collected data included age, gender, etiology, number of previous episodes of pancreatitis, medication history, type of admission, body-mass index (BMI), respiratory failure, renal failure, need for pressor support, and abdominal surgery performed during hospitalization. The overall mortality rate was 24.4%. In univariate survival analysis advanced age, history of continuous medication, patient transferred from other hospital, high BMI, respiratory or renal failure, need for pressor support, and need for abdominal surgery were significant prognostic factors for hospital mortality. In a multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, the need of pressor support, renal failure requiring dialysis, advanced age, history of continuous medication and need for abdominal surgery were identified as independent prognostic factors for mortality. A logistic regression analysis of variables available on admission (the first seven above mentioned variables) showed that transferral admission, advanced age, and history of continuous medication were independent prognostic factors for mortality. In patients with severe AP, advanced age, history of continuous medication, and need for dialysis, mechanical ventilator support, and pressor support predict fatal outcome and thus should be taken into account in clinical evaluation.     

急性胰腺炎104例腹痛临床特点分析

目的探讨急性胰腺炎腹痛的特点。方法回顾性分析武汉大学人民医院2007年1月至2009年12月住院诊治的急性胰腺炎104例临床资料,分别统计人口统计学资料、临床表现及治疗与转归。结果全部104例患者均以腹痛为主诉,多数患者具有典型的腹痛症状,但也不乏腹痛特点不典型者。诱因为进食零食、水果者占5.8%(6/104);疼痛位于脐周及下腹部等不典型部位者12.5%(13/104);腹痛性质为隐痛及胀痛者29.8%(31/104);有恶心、呕吐、发热、畏寒等伴随症状者65.4%(68/104);早期加用生长抑素疼痛缓解时间明显缩短者82.7%(86/104)。结论腹痛是急性胰腺炎患者的主要症状。目前确诊的急性胰腺炎患者中,虽具有典型急性胰腺炎腹痛特点的患者居多,但也不乏腹痛特点不典型的患者。只有提高对急性胰腺炎腹痛及相关表现的认知,更加全面细致的病史询问,结合对病情的动态观察及辅助检查结果,才能更好的早期、准确诊断急性胰腺炎,避免误诊。     

Gastrointestinal dysmotility in patients with acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gut-origin bacterial translocation is one of the major causes of pancreatic necrotic tissue infection in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). The gastrointestinal dysmotility is supposed to be the fundamental event in this process. To test this hypothesis, alteration of colonic transit time (CTT) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) was investigated. In order to evaluate the possible mechanisms involved in gastrointestinal dysmotility, changes of serum motilin (MTL), cholecystokinin (CCK) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in patients with AP were also measured. METHODS: Twenty-four non-consecutive patients with AP and 25 controls were included in this study. The diagnosis of AP was based upon clinical features, biochemical indices and radiological investigation. The severity of AP at admission was evaluated according to the APACHE-II and Balthazar computed tomography (CT) scoring system. Total and segmental CTT in patients with AP and in controls were determined by ingestion of radiopaque markers (Sitzmarks(R)) according to the modified Metcalf's method. Meanwhile, serum MTL and CCK were assessed using radioimmunoassay (RIA), and serum VIP was measured by using ELISA in this study. RESULTS: Compared to the controls, the total CTT and segmental CTT (mainly right and left hemicolon) were prolonged significantly in 10 patients with SAP and 14 patients with MAP; P < 0.05. Moreover, the total CTT and segmental CTT were markedly more delayed in patients with SAP than in patients with MAP; P < 0.05. The concentrations of serum MTL and CCK were significantly decreased in both MAP and SAP patients compared with those in controls (P < 0.01). There was no significant differences in serum MTL and CCK levels between the SAP and MAP groups; P > 0.05. In addition, the concentration of serum VIP was increased in AP patients, and it reached statistical significance in patients with SAP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, gastrointestinal dysmotility often occurred in patients with AP, especially more severely in SAP patients. One of the possible mechanisms might be related to the synergic actions of gut hormones, such as MTL, CCK and VIP.     

Immunosuppression in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

Background In severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), immunologic impairment in the early phase may be linked to subsequent infectious complications. In this study, immunologic alterations in patients with SAP were analyzed, and immunologic parameters related to infectious complications were clarified. Methods A total of 101 patients with SAP were analyzed retrospectively. Various immunologic parameters on admission were analyzed and compared between the infection group and noninfection group during SAP. Furthermore, chronologic change in the lymphocyte count was investigated, and its utility for predicting infection was compared with conventional scoring systems. Results Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), serum IgM, lymphokine-activated killer cell activity, and natural killer cell activity were low, and the incidence of abnormally low values was 50.0%, 65.0%, 45.5%, and 42.4%, respectively. Serum complement factor 3 was significantly negatively correlated with the APACHE II score. The lymphocyte count was decreased below the normal range, and was significantly negatively correlated with the APACHE II score. CD4-, CD8-, and CD20-positive lymphocyte counts were below the normal range, and CD4- and CD8-positive lymphocyte counts were significantly lower in the infection group. The lymphocyte count on day 14 after admission was significantly lower in the infection group and was more useful for predicting infection than conventional scoring systems. Conclusions Immunosuppression occurs from the early phase in SAP, and quantitative impairment of lymphocytes, mainly T lymphocytes, may be closely related to infectious complications during SAP. CD4- and CD8-positive lymphocyte counts on admission and the lymphocyte count on day 14 after admission may be useful for predicting infection.     

Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic abnormalities may be associated with acute pancreatitis (AP). GOALS: To describe the electrocardiographic disturbances present in patients with AP and to assess differences in electrolyte and pancreatic enzyme levels among patients with and without these abnormalities. STUDY: Fifty-one consecutive patients with AP and without preexisting heart disease underwent a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) and a serum electrolyte profile. EKG abnormalities were summarized in terms of frequencies, means, and standard deviations. Electrolyte and enzyme levels were summarized as medians. Differences were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (55%) had an abnormal EKG. Nonspecific changes of repolarization (20%), sinus tachycardia (12%), and left anterior hemiblock (10%) were the most frequent disturbances. Patients with sinus tachycardia had lower levels of phosphorus (2.3 vs. 3.4 mEq/L, P < 0.004) and calcium (8.4 vs. 9.1 mg/dL, P < 0.02). A tendency to higher levels of potassium and lower levels of phosphorus was found in patients with sinus tachycardia and nonspecific changes of repolarization, respectively. No differences were found in amylase, pancreatic amylase, or lipase among patients with normal and abnormal EKG. CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% of the patients with AP had EKG abnormalities, and these changes could be related to electrolyte alterations.     

Gut permeability in patients with acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: The bacterial contamination of pancreatic necrosis in acute pancreatitis is supposed to occur through translocation of intestinal bacteria. Increased gut permeability may be the initial phenomenon in this process. To test the hypothesis that gut permeability is increased in acute pancreatitis a clinical study was made where gut absorption and permeability were assessed with multi-sugar probes in patients with acute pancreatitis within 2 days after admission to hospital and again after recovery of disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with acute pancreatitis and 20 healthy controls were studied. According to Atlanta classification, 15 patients had mild and 8 patients severe pancreatitis. Gut absorption, assessed as the 5-h urine excretion of L-rhamnose, D-xylose and 3-O-methylglucose, was decreased in patients with acute pancreatitis and more pronounced in patients with severe pancreatitis (L-rhamnose and D-xylose: P < 0.001; 3-O-methylglucose: P < 0.05). Gut permeability, assessed as the ratio of lactulose/L-rhamnose, was increased in severe pancreatitis (0.16 +/- 0.13, 0.07 +/- 0.03, 0.04 +/- 0.04; severe pancreatitis, mild pancreatitis, controls, respectively; P < 0.001 between three groups, P < 0.05 between pancreatitis groups). CONCLUSIONS: Gut absorption capacity is decreased and gut permeability is increased in patients with acute pancreatitis. Patients with severe pancreatitis may be more exposed to impaired gut barrier function.     

Immune function in patients with acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the balance of T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines, and the numbers of CD4+ T and CD8+ T-cells, and was investigated, together with the plasma concentration of the antigen, an apoptosis marker, in patients with mild and acute pancreatitis (AP). METHODS: Plasma concentrations of soluble (s) CD4, sCD8, sIL-2-R, IL-12, IFN-gamma and sFas antigen were measured by ELISA, and CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Both CD4+ T and CD8+ T-cells were reduced in number; in the severe cases the reduction in the former was more pronounced. A significant positive correlation was noted among the concentrations of sCD4, sIL-2-R and IL-12, and a significant positive correlation was also found between sCD4 and sFas. During the early stage of AP, the concentrations of sCD4, sCD8, sIL-2-R, IL-12 and IFN-gamma increased more in the severe cases compared with those who had milder symptoms; however, these increases were moderated during the clinical course. CONCLUSION: We considered that these Th1 type CD4+ T cells probably induce the activation of macrophages and further pro-inflammatory reactions during the early stage of AP, as well as exerting direct cytotoxicity effects through Fas/Fas ligand expression.