Assessment of Severity and Adverse Prognostic Factors in Adult Acute Pancreatitis: An Observational Study at Dhaka Medical College Hospital

Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a commonly encountered gastrointestinal disorder in acute hospital settings. It usually required hospital admission and without proper management, it can lead to death. In an attempt to predict the severity several approaches have been used and prognosis of attacks of acute pancreatitis. But there is a shortage of literature in our country's context regarding this issue. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the severity and adverse prognostic factors in adult acute pancreatitis patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This research was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study and was conducted at the inpatient department of Medicine in Dhaka Medical College from January 2014 to June 2014. A total of 50 patients admitted to the medicine department due to acute pancreatitis were approached. Before selection, screening of the patients was done according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following describing the aim and objectives of the study, informed written consent was taken individually. The researcher did a history and physical examination and data collection were done by interviewing each patient by using a structured questionnaire. Ethical measures were ensured properly throughout the study according to the declaration of Helsinki and the patient’s health was the prime concern in the whole study period. Collected data were analyzed by computer with the help of SPSS 23. Results: Of 50 admitted patients, the mean age of the respondents was 35.18 ±12.41 SD (years) with slightly male predominance (56% male vs 44% female). Idiopathic (66%) was the most frequent reason for acute pancreatitis. Subsequently, Gall stone disease (14%), alcohol (6%), post-surgery status (6%), petro-chemical exposure (6%), and hypertriglyceridemia (2%) was found as an aetiology. According to the Glasgow criteria, 18% of patients in this study had severe disease and 82% had mild disease. Short-term outcome ....