A Study on Urinary Amylase and Serum Amylase in Diagnosing Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a prevalent condition often characterized by abdominal pain, yet its early diagnosis remains challenging due to the limitations of current diagnostic tests, particularly serum amylase. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of urinary amylase compared to serum amylase in diagnosing acute pancreatitis, with a focus on its sensitivity and prolonged detection capabilities.

Conducted over two years at a tertiary care hospital, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre in Pune, India, the study included 60 patients suspected of acute pancreatitis based on clinical and radiological criteria. Participants aged 20 to 60 were included, while those with chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic malignancies, or significant comorbidities were excluded. Serum and urinary amylase levels were measured, and statistical analysis was performed using MS Excel and IBM SPSS version 27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

The study population had a mean age of 37.90 years, predominantly that is 50 (83.3%) were male. The median serum amylase level was 311 U/L, while urinary amylase levels averaged 501 U/L. Significant findings included urinary amylase levels being significantly higher in females compared to males. Diagnostic imaging revealed various pancreatic conditions, including acute pancreatitis with complications.

Urinary amylase proves to be a valuable diagnostic marker for acute pancreatitis, offering several advantages over traditional serum amylase measurements. Integrating urinary amylase measurement into clinical practice can enhance diagnostic accuracy and provide a more comprehensive approach to diagnosing acute pancreatitis.