Clinical Profile, Etiology, Severity and Outcomes of Acute Pancreatitis in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Prospective Clinical Study

Background: Acute pancreatitis is an important cause of acute abdomen, with a course ranging from mild self-limited inflammation to severe systemic illness with organ failure and death. Early recognition of etiology, severity and complications is essential for rational triage and supportive management. The objective is yo evaluate age and sex distribution, etiological factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic profile, severity, complications and outcome of patients admitted with acute pancreatitis. Material and Methods: This prospective clinical study included 100 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis in the Department of General Medicine, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, from 2012 to 2014. Patients older than 12 years were included. Patients with chronic pancreatitis and acute-on-chronic pancreatitis were excluded. Clinical features, laboratory findings, ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced computed tomography when indicated, complications, recurrence, hospital stay and mortality were recorded. Results: Among 100 patients, 93 were male and 7 were female. The mean age was 38.1 ± 8.8 years, and the largest age group was 31-40 years. Pain abdomen was present in all patients, followed by nausea/vomiting in 92%. Alcohol was the leading etiology, accounting for 76% of cases, followed by biliary disease in 16%. Serum lipase was elevated in 94% and serum amylase in 82%. Ultrasonography was diagnostic in 64%. Mild acute pancreatitis was observed in 78%, while 22% had severe disease. Pleural effusion was the commonest complication. Recurrence occurred in 4%, and mortality was 8%. Conclusion: Acute pancreatitis in this tertiary-care series predominantly affected young adult males, with alcohol as the principal etiology. Most patients had mild disease and responded to conservative treatment. Severe disease was associated with local complications, organ failure and mortality, highlighting the value of early assessment and vigilant supportive care.

Keywords: Acute pancreatitis; Alcoholic pancreatitis; Biliary pancreatitis; Complications; Severity; Outcome.