Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis assessed using criteria for acute pancreatitis

International consensus on the definition and classification of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) has been reached. However, the diagnosis and severity of PEP are often assessed according to the diagnostic criteria and classification for acute pancreatitis (AP). This study determined the incidence, severity, and risk factors of PEP diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria and classification for AP in a large cohort.

This prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study conducted at five high-volume centers included 1932 patients who underwent ERCP-related procedures. The incidence, severity, and risk factors for PEP were evaluated.

PEP occurred in 142 patients (7.3%); it was mild in 117 patients (6.0%) and severe in 25 patients (1.3%). According to the Cotton criteria, PEP occurred in 87 patients (4.5%); it was mild in 54 patients (2.8%), moderate in 20 patients (1.0%), and severe in 13 patients (0.7%). In the multivariate analysis, female sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.239; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.546-3.243), naïve papilla (OR 3.047; 95% CI 1.803-5.150), surgically-altered gastrointestinal anatomy (OR 2.538; 95% CI 1.342-4.802), procedure time after reaching the papilla (OR 1.009; 95% CI 1.001-1.017), pancreatic duct injection (OR 2.396; 95% CI 1.565-3.669), and intraductal ultrasonography (OR 1.641; 95% CI 1.024-2.629) were independent risk factors.

According to the diagnostic criteria and classification for AP, the incidence of PEP was higher than that according to the Cotton criteria and the severity of PEP tended to be severe.