[The value of age as a prognostic factor in the severity of acute pancreatitis]

Age has been considered as a risk factor for the development of complications in acute pancreatitis. To confirm the above a retrospective study was designed including 526 cases of acute pancreatitis which were classified, according to age, into two groups: group I: > 65 years, and group II: < or = 65 years. The evolution of pancreatitis was classified as mild or severe according to the criteria of the Atlanta Meeting. Furthermore, other variables which may influence in the development of complications, such as the etiology or the presence of other associated diseases at the time of the appearance of pancreatitis were taken into account. On comparison of the severity of pancreatitis in both groups significant differences were only found in the appearance of acute renal failure. A relationship was, however, observed between the existence of certain diseases (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure) present at the time of the appearance of acute pancreatitis and the development of complications of the latter. In addition, on comparing the epidemiologic and etiologic data of the two groups, it was found that acute pancreatitis in the elderly is more often of biliary etiology, is more frequent in females and is usually accompanied by other diseases at the time of appearance. Age in itself is not a risk factor for the development of complications in acute pancreatitis. The association of diseases at the time of the initiation of pancreatitis implies a worse prognosis.