Forecasting Severities and Etiology of Acute Pancreatitis by Using Pancreatic Enzymes and Lipase: Amylase Ratio

Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a common disease with raising incidence and is potentially a life-threatening condition. Many patients with alcohol related pancreatitis were misdiagnosed as gallstone related pancreatitis. Early identification of such aetiology of pancreatitis was essential for prevention of unnecessary interventional procedure (like ERCP), which was less useful in pancreatitis patients of alcoholic origin. So, this study was under taken with aim to find out cause of acute pancreatitis by using pancreatic enzymes and Lipase: Amylase ratio. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the predictive value of these markers in determining the severity of pancreatitis. Material and methods: Present observational study was done at Medical Gastroenterology Department at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Wardha, India over 1 year period. Total 84 acute pancreatitis patients, who satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and assessed for serum Amylase & Lipase and Lipase: Amylase ratio. Results: In current study, average patients age was 41.1 ± 12.7 years, where majority of patients were males (82%) and all alcoholic pancreatitis patients were also male (p<0.05). Most common etiology for acute pancreatitis was alcohol i.e., 48.8% followed by idiopathic cause around 31%, gall stone disease (16.7%), and others. There were non-significantly lower levels of serum lipase, serum amylase and serum lipase/amylase ratio among alcoholic pancreatitis and severe pancreatitis patients compared to their counterpart (p>0.05). Conclusion: Pancreatitis enzymes and Lipase: Amylase ratio was not much effective in predicting etiology and severity in patients of acute pancreatitis.