Pregnancy associated pancreatitis revisited

To evaluate the demographics, risk factors and outcomes of pregnancy associated pancreatitis (PAP).

A retrospective chart review was done using ICD-9 Code 577.0 (acute pancreatitis) from January 2005 through December 2009. Women aged 18 to 45 years, who were pregnant and 6 months after delivery were considered for the study. For each case, two women of the same age (± 4 years) with no history of pancreatitis were matched as control. Demographics, etiology, diagnostic modality and intervention were obtained.

During the 5 years of study, 29 cases of PAP occurred among 25,600 total hospital deliveries, yielding prevalence of 0.001%: Hispanics 48%, Caucasians 24%, African Americans 17.2%, and Asian/Pacific Islanders 13% (P<0.05). Sixty-five percent of those with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) more than 30 kg/m(2) had PAP, versus 24% with BMI between 25 and 30 kg/m(2) and 10% with BMI less than 25 kg/m(2) (P<0.05). An increasing trend of PAP was seen with gestational age and number of pregnancy.

Gallstone disease is the most frequent etiology for PAP and tends to occur more often in Hispanics in New Jersey.