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DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1712283
Acute pancreatitis in the northeast of Austria. First epidemiological data from the Pancreas Outpatient Clinic St. Pölten.
Background Acute pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening disease and a great economic burden of health care systems around the world, particularly considering the risk of chronification in recurrent diseases. The aim of this register is the evaluation of therapy, aetiopathology, endoscopic interventions and prognosis in these subjects in this region of Lower Austria. Following the positive vote of the ethics committee, work could be started in November 2018.
Methods After informed consent all patients treated at our outpatient clinic who suffered from one or more episodes of acute pancreatitis were included in the register. Basic data (age, gender, BMI), aetiology/risk factors, radio morphological patterns of organ damage and resulting insufficiencies were recorded.
Results In the first six months 25 patients (11 male, 14 female), mean age: 59 (SD ± 12) years, mean BMI: 32 (SD ± 11) kg/m2 were included. Recurrent acute pancreatitis was observed in nine cases. Imaging was documented in 20 patients, 15 showed edematous and five necrotizing processes. Leading cause of acute pancreatitis was biliary obstruction followed by alcohol abuse, often combined with nicotine (details are presented in Table 1). In three cases a pancreoprive diabetes occurred, exocrine insufficiency was present in six patients. In 11 cases no clear trigger could be found.
Conclusion Our first analysis of aetiology in our patients showed a similar distribution as reported in other registers. Investigating the underlying cause can be a challenge and is often a fruitless endeavour. A structured diagnostic workup is particularly necessary in recurrent disease in order to prevent chronification if possible.
Publication History
Article published online:
26 May 2020
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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