Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Acute Pancreatitis in Patients With Gallstones: A Cross-Sectional Study

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common and potentially life-threatening condition, with gallstones being a major etiology.

This study aims to determine how common AP is among patients with gallstones and to identify the associated risk factors, diagnostic laboratory markers, and potential complications.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, a tertiary care center, from June 2024 to January 2025. Data were collected from 165 patients presenting in the Department of Gastroenterology and General Surgery. Patients were included if they had gallstones confirmed by abdominal ultrasound and met the revised Atlanta criteria for AP, including clinical symptoms (e.g., epigastric pain, nausea) and laboratory findings (serum lipase/amylase ≥3× upper limit of normal).

The prevalence of AP in patients with gallstones was 37.6% (62/165). Risk factors such as obesity (72%, 45/62), age (≥50 years, 72%, 45/62), and female gender (65%, 40/62) were significantly associated with the condition. Elevated serum amylase (225.4 ± 112.3 U/L) and lipase (317.8 ± 150.7 U/L), along with increased white blood cell (WBC) count (13.2 ± 4.6 x 10⁹/L), C-reactive protein (CRP) (45.7 ± 19.2 mg/L), and bilirubin levels (2.4 ± 1.6 mg/dL), were observed, particularly in severe cases of AP. Pancreatic necrosis occurred in 13% (8/62), organ failure in 8% (5/62), and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in 16% (10/62). Cholecystectomy was performed in 69% (43/62) of cases, and the mortality rate was 3.2% (2/62).

Gallstones are a major cause of AP, with obesity, age, and female gender being key risk factors. Elevated laboratory markers correlate with the severity of the condition and can aid in disease assessment.