Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced and Alcohol-Induced Acute Pancreatitis-A Severity Comparative Study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Alcohol use and hypertriglyceridemia are leading causes of acute pancreatitis.
• Few studies directly compare the severity and outcomes of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis (HTGP) and alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis (AAP).
• Both conditions share overlapping pathophysiological pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the biologic profile, severity, and outcomes of HTGP versus AAP.
• To assess differences in intensive care unit admissions and mortality between HTGP and AAP patients.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 78 patients with acute pancreatitis.
• Patients were categorized into HTGP (37.17%) and AAP (62.82%) groups.
• Severity was assessed using the Atlanta classification and Balthazar index; biologic profiles and outcomes were compared.

Main Results:

• HTGP demonstrated greater severity per the Atlanta classification (82.76% vs. 46%, p=0.014) and longer hospitalizations (p=0.024).
• HTGP patients had significantly higher serum fibrinogen (739 vs. 563 mg/dL, p=0.030), more necrotizing forms (24.13% vs. 10.20%), and lower serum sodium (130 vs. 137 mmol/L, p<0.000).
• No differences were observed in inflammatory markers like NLR, PLR, MLR, SII, or SIRI.

Conclusions:

• Acute pancreatitis severity and patterns are linked to etiology.
• HTGP is associated with increased severity, longer hospitalizations, and higher ICU admission rates compared to AAP.
• Lower serum sodium levels and a higher prevalence of moderate-to-severe pancreatitis were noted in HTGP patients.