BACKGROUND: This prospective study has been conducted with the aim to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: The study included 350 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis admitted over a period of five years. All these patients were subjected to detailed history and clinical examination and investigations to ascertain the diagnosis. The severity was assessed by contrast - enhanced computed tomography (CT). Data collected were tabulated and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. RESULTS: On the basis of the CT Severity Index (CTSI), the severity of acute pancreatic was classified into Group A (mild), Group B (moderate), or Group C (severe). Group C patients had the most complications (in 77 [91.67%] patients), and Group A patients had the least (in 7 [6.25%] patients). Mortality was found to be highest among Group C (14 [16.67%] patients), indicating the severe nature of disease in these patients, while no mortality was noted in Group A patients. The mean duration of hospital stay of patients in Group A was 9.25 days, Group B 12.0 days and Group C 24.58 days. CONCLUSION: The use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography as a routine investigation in patients to predict a severe attack of acute pancreatitis early in the course of the disease decreases overall mortality and burden of disease.
BACKGROUND: This prospective study has been conducted with the aim to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: The study included 350 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis admitted over a period of five years. All these patients were subjected to detailed history and clinical examination and investigations to ascertain the diagnosis. The severity was assessed by contrast - enhanced computed tomography (CT). Data collected were tabulated and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. RESULTS: On the basis of the CT Severity Index (CTSI), the severity of acute pancreatic was classified into Group A (mild), Group B (moderate), or Group C (severe). Group C patients had the most complications (in 77 [91.67%] patients), and Group A patients had the least (in 7 [6.25%] patients). Mortality was found to be highest among Group C (14 [16.67%] patients), indicating the severe nature of disease in these patients, while no mortality was noted in Group A patients. The mean duration of hospital stay of patients in Group A was 9.25 days, Group B 12.0 days and Group C 24.58 days. CONCLUSION: The use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography as a routine investigation in patients to predict a severe attack of acute pancreatitis early in the course of the disease decreases overall mortality and burden of disease.