Aim: This study was conducted to assess the predictive value of coagulation abnormalities in determining disease severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: Patients of AP and 25 healthy volunteers were included in this prospective observational study. The final outcomes were disease severity assessed by Computed Tomography Severity Index, Acute Physiological Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation-II, presence of organ failure and mortality. Prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen, antithrombin-III (AT-III), protein-C, and proteinS levels were assessed on day 0, 3 and 7 of admission. Results: Of the 38 patients included, 13 died. Mean PT and TT were similar between patients and controls on any given day. PTT showed elevation on day 3 and 7 (p=0.001) compared to controls, although fibrinogen and D-dimer were significantly higher in patients on all days. Protein C and AT-III were significantly lower in patients and more so in non survivors ((p=0.001)) than controls. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed D-dimer levels >400-800 ng/ml and AT-III level of <71% at admission were associated with high mortality (OR 11.2, AUROC 0.70 and OR 16.6, AUROC 0.82 respectively) as well as predicted organ failure. Conclusion: Serum D-dimer and antithrombin-III levels can be used to assess disease severity and predict outcome of patients with acute pancreatitis.

Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality reported worldwide. Malaria caused by P. Falciparum is a multisystem disorder and may have diversity of clinical presentations. We are presenting a case report of patients of Falciparum Malaria masking acute on chronic pancreatitis. We suggest that Falciparum Malaria should be included in differential diagnosis of acute pancreatitis presenting with fever especially in endemic countries.