INTRODUCTION: In the last few years the Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis (AP) have been revised. However prognostic markers of AP are still being searched for. The aim of this study is to validate the 3 severity categories proposed by the revised Atlanta classification. We also tried to reevaluate the association between two laboratory markers (leucocyte count and RDW - red cell distribution width) on admission and prognosis of the patients with AP. METHODS: 159 patients were included into the study. The patients were classified according to revised Atlanta criteria and the subgroups evaluated according to mortality, length of hospital stay and need for interventions. Leucocyte count and RDW on admission was evaluated in the patients. RESULTS: All the subgroups of patients were associated with significantly relevant differences in mortality, length of hospital stay and need for operations on pancreas. Leucocyte count and RDW were identified as significant predictors for severe AP and RDW was also identified as significant predictor for mortality in patients with AP. CONCLUSION: New categories of severity as defined by Revised Atlanta classification are describing well the mortality, length of hospital stay and need for interventions in the patients with AP. Leucocyte count and RDW on admission are needed to be confirmed as potential prognostic markers of severity and mortality in AP.
INTRODUCTION: In the last few years the Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis (AP) have been revised. However prognostic markers of AP are still being searched for. The aim of this study is to validate the 3 severity categories proposed by the revised Atlanta classification. We also tried to reevaluate the association between two laboratory markers (leucocyte count and RDW - red cell distribution width) on admission and prognosis of the patients with AP. METHODS: 159 patients were included into the study. The patients were classified according to revised Atlanta criteria and the subgroups evaluated according to mortality, length of hospital stay and need for interventions. Leucocyte count and RDW on admission was evaluated in the patients. RESULTS: All the subgroups of patients were associated with significantly relevant differences in mortality, length of hospital stay and need for operations on pancreas. Leucocyte count and RDW were identified as significant predictors for severe AP and RDW was also identified as significant predictor for mortality in patients with AP. CONCLUSION: New categories of severity as defined by Revised Atlanta classification are describing well the mortality, length of hospital stay and need for interventions in the patients with AP. Leucocyte count and RDW on admission are needed to be confirmed as potential prognostic markers of severity and mortality in AP.