Coronary Artery Calcium Score Is Associated with Acute Pancreatitis Independent of Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is frequently linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is also associated with MetS. This study aims to investigate the relationship between CAC and the occurrence of AP. Methods: This retrospective, single-center, case-control study included 352 patients admitted to a tertiary medical referral center between January 2017 and December 2023. Patients were divided into AP (case) and non-AP (control) groups, with controls matched to cases based on sex and age. Results: The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher among AP patients (38.2%) compared to controls (13.3%) (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.72-4.32; P < 0.001). Similarly, CAC was more common in the AP group (35.5%) than in controls (10.8%) and was significantly associated with AP (OR: 3.47; 95% CI: 1.99-4.93, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for smoking, alcohol use, gallstone history, CAC, and MetS components, confirmed associations between AP and smoking (OR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.78-4.98, P < 0.001), alcohol consumption (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.07-2.76, P = 0.027), gallstones (OR: 22.93; 95% CI: 18.22-49.82, P < 0.001), and positive CAC score (OR: 3.47; 95% CI: 1.99-4.93, P < 0.001). Conclusions: MetS and CAC score are significantly associated with admission for AP. Further studies are needed to explore potential causative mechanisms.