BACKGROUND: Severe acute pancreatitis is associated with a high mortality, especially when compared with mild acute pancreatitis. Early intervention in patients with severe acute pancreatitis has been shown to improve mortality. The value of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) in diagnosing severe acute pancreatitis at an early stage was studied. STUDY: Thirty-six patients with acute pancreatitis were prospectively evaluated. Age-matched controls were obtained from healthy volunteers. Levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were obtained within 24 hours of admission. Ranson's prognostic signs and Bank's clinical criteria were used to differentiate patients into mild and severe pancreatitis. RESULTS: There was significant difference in IL-6 levels between controls and mild pancreatitis, controls and severe pancreatitis, and mild and severe pancreatitis. IL-8 levels were significantly different between controls and severe pancreatitis and mild and severe pancreatitis. There was no significant difference between controls and mild pancreatitis. The results for TNF-alpha were similar to the findings for IL-8. CONCLUSION: IL-6, IL-8, and TNF can be used independently in differentiating mild acute pancreatitis from early severe acute pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND: Severe acute pancreatitis is associated with a high mortality, especially when compared with mild acute pancreatitis. Early intervention in patients with severe acute pancreatitis has been shown to improve mortality. The value of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) in diagnosing severe acute pancreatitis at an early stage was studied. STUDY: Thirty-six patients with acute pancreatitis were prospectively evaluated. Age-matched controls were obtained from healthy volunteers. Levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were obtained within 24 hours of admission. Ranson's prognostic signs and Bank's clinical criteria were used to differentiate patients into mild and severe pancreatitis. RESULTS: There was significant difference in IL-6 levels between controls and mild pancreatitis, controls and severe pancreatitis, and mild and severe pancreatitis. IL-8 levels were significantly different between controls and severe pancreatitis and mild and severe pancreatitis. There was no significant difference between controls and mild pancreatitis. The results for TNF-alpha were similar to the findings for IL-8. CONCLUSION:IL-6, IL-8, and TNF can be used independently in differentiating mild acute pancreatitis from early severe acute pancreatitis.
Authors: Andre S Matheus; Ana Maria M Coelho; Sandra Sampietre; Rosely Patzina; Jose Jukemura; Jose Eduardo M Cunha; Marcel C C Machado Journal: HPB (Oxford) Date: 2007 Impact factor: 3.647