Association of Diabetes Mellitus With Severity Complications and Mortality in Acute Pancreatitis Patients

Acute pancreatitis is a common inflammatory disease with variable clinical outcomes. Diabetes mellitus may worsen the severity and increase complications in these patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of diabetes mellitus with severity, complications, and mortality in acute pancreatitis patients.

This prospective observational study was conducted at Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad from April 2025 to September 2025. A total of 160 patients with confirmed acute pancreatitis were included through consecutive sampling. Patients were divided into diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Severity was assessed by the Revised Atlanta Classification. Demographic profile, laboratory findings, complications, ICU admission, hospital stay, and mortality were recorded. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26 (Released 2018; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). The chi-square test, independent sample t-test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were applied. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Out of 160 patients, 68 (42.5%) were diabetic, and 92 (57.5%) were non-diabetic. Severe acute pancreatitis was significantly more common in diabetic patients (30.9% vs 15.2%, p=0.017). Persistent organ failure (27.9% vs 13.0%, p=0.019), pancreatic necrosis (25.0% vs 12.0%, p=0.031), ICU admission (29.4% vs 14.1%, p=0.018), and mortality (16.2% vs 8.7%, p=0.041) were also higher among diabetic patients. Mean hospital stay was significantly prolonged in diabetics (8.7±3.9 vs 5.9±2.8 days, p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed diabetes mellitus as an independent predictor of severe acute pancreatitis and mortality.

Diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with increased severity, complications, prolonged hospital stay, and mortality in acute pancreatitis. Early identification of diabetic patients may help improve clinical outcomes.