Observational longitudinal multicentre investigation of acute pancreatitis (GOULASH PLUS): follow-up of the GOULASH study, protocol.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory condition that can lead to late consequences. Recurrent AP (RAP) develops in 20% of patients and chronic pancreatitis (CP) occurs in 7%-12.8%. However, we do not have sufficient information to establish an evidence-based statement to define early CP, or how to prevent its development. AIM: The aim of this study was to understand the influencing factors and to determine which parameters should be measured or used as a biomarker to detect the early phase of CP. METHODS/
DESIGN: This is an observational prospective follow-up study of the GOULASH-trial (ISRTCN 63827758) in which (1) all severity of pancreatitis are included; (2) patients receive only therapeutic modalities which are accepted by the evidence based medicine (EBM) guideline; (3) whole blood, serum and plasma samples are stored in our biobank; and (4) large amount of variables are collected and kept in our electronic database including anamnestic data, physical examination, laboratory parameters, imaging, therapy and complications. Therefore, this fully characterised patient cohort are well suitable for this longitudinal follow-up study. Patients' selection: patients enrolled in the GOULASH study will be offered to join to the longitudinal study. The follow-up will be at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years after the episode of AP. Anamnestic data will be collected by questionnaires: (1) diet history questionnaire, (2) 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, (3) physical activity questionnaire and (4) stress questionnaire. Genetic tests will be performed for the genes associated with CP. The exocrine and endocrine pancreatic, liver and kidney functions will be determined by laboratory tests, stool sample analyses and imaging. Cost-effectiveness will be analysed to examine the relationship between events of interest and health-related quality of life or to explore subgroup differences.
CONCLUSION: This study will provide information about the risk and influencing factors leading to CP and identify the most useful measurable parameters. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN63396106. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Patients suffering from acute pancreatitis (AP) will be followed up at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years after the episode of AP. This way the study is able to give a more precise, detailed insight of the possible development of pancreatitis within a wide time frame.

Anamnestic data will be collected by questionnaires about dietary habits, physical activity, stress and anamnestic data questionnaires, which means plentiful quality data collection with low costs; therefore, the study has a satisfactory cost-benefit ratio.

Genetic tests will be performed for deeper level of understanding of the genetic background of chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Since the leading aetiology of CP is alcohol, several subjects may not attend the follow-up appointment every year.

Considering that CP will be assessed on a yearly basis, we will have no exact date when the CP developed.

Background

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory condition with possible late complications.1 Twenty per cent of patients with AP tend to develop recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP),2 and in 7%–12.8%  of patients, chronic pancreatitis (CP) will occur.3–5 CP is an incurable disease; the incidence of CP in Western countries is 10–50/100 000 and it is more common in men.2 6 It is well documented that RAP can lead to CP; therefore, it might be considered as the early form of CP. From the first attack of AP until the end-stage CP, there is a long period; however, there is no information about the characteristic of the road, or how the CP will be formed from the first attack. Risk factors leading to CP or influencing the development of CP are not well characterised yet.

CP represents a chronic inflammatory state of the pancreas which is caused by regular alcohol consumption, smoking, hypercalcaemia and genetic factors.7 Alcohol consumption is the most common risk factor,8 9 which increases the risk logarithmically.10 11 The Harmonizing diagnosis and treatment of chronic pancreatitis across Europe (HaPanEu) guideline highlights that smoking is an independent risk factor which may worsen the prognosis of CP.11 CP is most commonly diagnosed at late stages based on morphological changes; fibrosis can be observed and exocrine insufficiency is present, which means a pancreatic burnout with more than 90% loss of the healthy pancreatic tissue.12 Whitcomb formulated the definition of the early phase of CP but the parameters that could indicate the diagnosis are not well characterised.13 Yamabe et al highlighted in a review that the screening of patients for suspicion of early CP and the treatment of early CP are very important from both the patients’ and the healthcare economics’ point of view.14

An important feature of CP is pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), which leads to the deterioration of the nutritional status and worsen the quality of life of patients without treatment and follow-up.15 PEI is also a risk factor for increased mortality in patients with CP.16 Because of the fat malabsorption, steatorrhea will occur and measuring faecal elastase-1 level provides indirect information on exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.16 The gold standard treatment of PEI is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, which helps to avoid malnutrition and improves the nutritional status of patients with CP17 18; therefore, patients with high risk for CP need to be followed and therapy should be initiated as early as possible.

Pancreatic endocrine insufficiency develops more frequently after severe AP and its severity is directly associated with the extent of pancreatic necrosis,19 and it is defined as type 3c diabetes or pancreatogenic diabetes. In pancreatogenic diabetes, both insulin production and glucagon secretion are impaired.20 The importance of the topic is confirmed by the recently developed prediabetes self-assessment screening score after acute pancreatitis (PERSEUS) score, which helps to identify individuals who are at high risk for developing new-onset diabetes after an episode of AP.21

Most patients with CP are suffering from recurrent episodes of pain, which usually cannot be eliminated by conservative treatment. Based on the step-up approach, endoscopic interventions are given prior to surgery, but a meta-analysis showed that early surgery is associated with increased likelihood of complete postoperative pain relief, reduced risk of pancreatic insufficiency and the need for further intervention.22

Cost-effectiveness analysis is the evaluation of the joint distribution of differences in cost and clinical effect and has a very important role in chronic diseases. It provides an early opportunity to produce reliable estimates of cost-effectiveness at low marginal cost. Access to individual patient data also permits a wide range of statistical and econometric techniques to examine the relationship between events of interest and health-related quality of life or to explore subgroup differences.

Several studies analysed the changes in laboratory parameters in CP. The concentration of leptin23 was significantly lower in the serum samples of patients with CP compared with controls, while interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) showed elevated levels.24 A review summarised the measurable parameters of the beta cell function, which can also be used in the diagnosis.25

Genetics plays an important role in the development of CP. As CP often evolves through recurrent attacks of AP, in our study we aim to investigate the effect of genetic risk factors on the disease onset and progression. Over the past two decades, it has been demonstrated that premature trypsinogen activation plays a central pathogenic role in the development of CP.26 Moreover, an alternative pathomechanism unrelated to accelerated intrapancreatic trypsinogen activation has been identified, in which mutation-induced misfolding and consequent endoplasmic reticulum stress lead to acinar cell damage and pancreatitis.26

Aims and objectives

GOULASH PLUS is an observational prospective follow-up study of the individuals enrolled in the GOULASH trial27 (http://www.pancreas.hu/en/studies/goulash, ISRTCN 63827758) in which (1) all severity of pancreatitis are included; (2) patients receive only therapeutic modalities which are part of the evidence-based guideline; (3) whole blood, serum and plasma samples of the enrolled individuals are stored in our biobank; and (4) a large number of variables are collected and kept in our electronic database, including medical and family history, findings of physical examination, laboratory parameters, results of diagnostic imaging and detailed data on therapy and complications. Therefore, the fully characterised patient cohort of the GOULASH trial is ideal for this longitudinal follow-up study.

Our aim is to understand the course of AP leading to CP and to find the factors that can protect the pancreas from the development of the disease. We will follow the most important factors in our subjects' structure, aiming to find protective factors and the first predictable parameters of the disease. The study will provide results, which will help to understand the development and risk factors of late complications in AP and the development of the pancreatic damage.

Methods

Study design

GOULASH PLUS is a 6-year observational prospective follow-up study with no intervention. Patients suffering from AP, who took part in the GOULASH study, will be approached and enrolled if consent is given. Participants will be followed up in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years following their discharge after the admission with AP. The follow-up visits will be arranged every 12 months (±1 month) for 6 years. After receiving detailed verbal and written information on the study, the consent form will be signed. If consent is given, the following tests and investigations will be arranged at each follow-up, and we collect the information under the same code as used in the GOULASH study completed with P and the number of the year of the follow-up to avoid the contravention of personal rights.

To detect the earliest morphological changes and late complications of AP, transabdominal ultrasonography (US) (1, 3, 5 years) and in the second, fourth and sixth year endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) examination will be performed (figure 2). The transabdominal US is part of the standard work-up for patients with AP28; however, several studies explored the visualisation of morphological changes in CP by the transabdominal US and reported varying diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity of 70%–80%.29 30 One large study reported sensitivities for US >85% for the features calcifications, pancreatic duct dilations and cysts.30 Generally, EUS will be suggested based on the HaPanEU guideline’s 2–9 point.11 It is the most sensitive imaging technique in the early phase of CP, but if the participant disagrees, MRI will be performed for increasing the attendance on the controls. A recent meta-analysis31 showed that the sensitivity of EUS and magnetic resonance cholangiopacreatography (MRCP) are 81% and 78%, respectively, while the specificity was 90% and 96%, respectively. The radiologist may indicate a CT, EUS or MRI examination if the pancreas is not visualisable, uncertain features of CP on the US scan, suspicion of focal lesions or any novum alterations in the pancreas. Blood samples will be collected for laboratory analysis and stored in biobank for later testing. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) will be performed when diabetes mellitus (DM) is unknown, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level is ≤7 mmol/L. In this trial, we will be guided by the diagnostic criteria of DM and prediabetic states, which were defined by the WHO in 1999.8 Homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-Beta) will be calculated based on 20×Insulin/Glucose-3.5 equation in percentage.25 Patients will be given a stool sample collection kit and they will be asked to provide a sample for the measurement of faecal elastase level, which is the most widely employed non-invasive test to document EPI. Faecal elastase is widely available and can be performed while the patient is taking commercial pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) products. The interpretation of faecal elastase test will be made based on normal pancreatic function 200–500 µg/g, mild pancreatic dysfunction 100–199 µg/g and severe pancreas exocrine insufficiency <100 µg/g. For the detailed assessment of the participants’ diet, the validated Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ) will be completed (table 1, online supplementary file 1). Pain, environmental factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking, physical activity and quality of life will be detected by validated questionnaires. To collect detailed information on the quality of life and pain, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire will be used (table 1, online supplementary file 1). The questionnaire will be completed with the help of a clinical research administrator; therefore, improperly completed datasheets and incorrect data upload will be avoided and controlled.

Table 1

Schedule of fulfilled questionnaires during the follow-up period

Title	Source
Physical and socioeconomic status	American Community Survey (ACS); The MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status (Supplementary document 1 page 11–12)
Details from the medical history	Acute Pancreatitis Questionnaire (Registry for Pancreatic Patients by Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group) (Supplementary document 1 page 1–10)
Dietary habits	Diet History Questionnaire, V.2.0. National Institutes of Health, Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, National Cancer Institute. 2010. (Supplementary document 1 page 28–68)
Physical activity	International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) (long, usual week version) (Supplementary document 1 page 13–17)
Stress	Perceived Stress Scale (10-item version) (Supplementary document 1 page 17–18)
Quality of life, pain	RAND 36-Item Health Survey (Version 1.0) (SF-36)30 (Supplementary document 1 page 22–27)

The diagnosis of CP is based on clinical (weight loss, malnutrition, diarrhoea), morphological (imaging) and functional parameters (pancreatic function tests).8 11 32 The diagnosis will be based, at EUS examination, on morphological changes according to Rosemont criteria33 (online supplementary file 2), on the presence of pancreatic ductal calcifications examined by US and CT, and pancreatic duct abnormalities investigated by MRCP.11

Whenever these alterations have been diagnosed, CP is already developed; in this study, the early phase of CP will be investigated in the 2-year period before the CP retrospectively.

Genetic testing of participants will be performed in the most important genes for AP and CP, such as PRSS1, CPA1, SPINK1, CTRC and CFTR genes.34 In all patients enrolled in the GOULASH PLUS study, we will analyse the known susceptibility genes associated with CP in both the trypsin-dependent and misfolding pathological pathways: PRSS1, SPINK1, CTRC and CPA1. In addition, we will also investigate CFTR, as certain mutations of this gene may modify pancreatitis risk.35 A control cohort of healthy blood donors from the Hungarian National Pancreas Registry will also be analysed to determine the carrier frequency of different variants in this population.

The University of Pécs Medical School will be the leading centre of the study and several laboratory parameters and genetic samples will be measured and processed here. The facilities of the biobank are also located at the University of Pécs Institute for Translational Medicine. The following partners already participate in the GOULASH study: University of Debrecen (Dr Mária Papp), University of Szeged (Dr László Czakó) and hospitals of Gyula (Dr János Novák) and Székesfehérvár (Dr Ferenc Izbéki). The GOULASH PLUS study is open for centres who take part in the GOULASH study.

Duration

The pilot part of the GOULASH PLUS study started at 1 February 2018 (one year after the first patient was involved in GOULASH study and discharged from the hospital). The estimated date of finishing the study is 28 February 2025.

Cost-effectiveness analysis

Cost-effectiveness analysis is about the evaluation of the joint distribution of differences in cost and clinical effect. It provides an early opportunity to produce reliable estimates of cost-effectiveness at low marginal cost. Access to individual patient data also permits a wide range of statistical and econometric techniques, to examine the relationship between events of interest and health-related quality of life or to explore subgroup differences. For this purpose along with the clinical outcome measures, we should also gather information about the quality of life of patients and the resource use and unit cost of intervention and treatments used (table 2).

Table 2

Evaluation of planned categories for cost-effectiveness analysis. ER, emergency room; GP, general practitioner; NHIFA, National Health Insurance Fund Administration.

Domain name	Source of data
Health outcomes
Mortality	Civil registration database
Resource utilisation during follow-up period (after discharge)
GP utilisation	NHIFA database
Outpatient care utilisation	NHIFA database
ER utilisation	NHIFA database
Hospital readmission	NHIFA database
Drug utilisation	NHIFA database
Indirect cost
Sick leave	Central Administration of National Pension Insurance

The categories of resource use that are included in the study were determined according to the perspective of the payer. This perspective usually includes direct medical care, including the intervention itself, treatment of any side effects or complications, and follow-up care to the intervention or the underlying condition, which in this case is complemented with a payment for sick leave, which is an indirect cost.

Additional information will be required from the patient questionnaire and from the database of the National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA) and Central Administration of National Pension Insurance.

Examined parameters

The following parameters will be measured or collected at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years control:

Laboratory parameters:

General: amylase (U/L); lipase (U/L); white cell count (G/L); red cell count (T/L); haemoglobin (g/L); haematocrit (%); thrombocyte (G/L); C-reactive protein (mg/L); creatinine (µmol/L), carbamid (mmol/L); serum bilirubin (µmol/L); GGT (mmol/L); GOT (mmol/L); GPT (mmol/L); ALP (mmol/L); uric acid (mmol/L); cholesterol (HDL, LDL) (mmol/L); triglycerides (mmol/L); serum protein (g/L); albumin (g/L).

Endocrine: C-peptide* (pmol/L); HgbA1C (%); OGTT test glucose (mmol/L) and insulin level (pmol/L) at 0, 60 and 120 min.

Exocrine: Faecal elastase test*.

Biobank: (a) plasma; (b) serum; (c) stool for later analysis

Leptin* (pmol/L); IL-1β* (pmol/L); IL-6* (pmol/L); TNF-α* (pmol/L); somatostatin* (pmol/L); pancreatic polypeptide* (pmol/L); amylin* (pmol/L); glucagon* (pmol/L); *signed parameters will be measured at our centre if there is no possibility in the smaller centres.

Information about (b) smoking; (c) alcohol; (d) drugs; (e) complains: pain and quality of life—MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36); (f) dietary fat intake—DHQ questionnaire; (g) body weight, body mass index (BMI).

Genetic: PRSS1, CPA1, SPINK1, CTRC and CFTR.

Primary eendpoint

The primary endpoint was the development of chronic pancreatitis based on morphological changes and clinical signs.

Secondary endpoints

Secondary endpoints include (1) recurrent AP based on the International Association of Pancreatology/American Pancreatic Association (IAP/APA) guideline’s 2 out of 3 rule: (a) upper abdominal pain; (b) serum amylase or lipase level more than three times than the upper limit of a normal range; (c) distinctive pancreatic findings on US or CT imaging; (2) exocrine pancreatic insufficiency—faecal elastase test; (3) endocrine pancreatic insufficiency (based on laboratory test, OGTT and FPG); (4) need for radiological/surgical interventions—medical records; (5) dietary intake assessment—DHQ; (6) quality of life, stress, physical activity questionnaires; (7) pain questionnaires; (8) development of pancreas tumour—medical records; (9) laboratory parameters—inflammatory cytokines, pancreatic peptides and so on (table 1).

The trial organisation, committees and boards

The coordinator and designer of the GOULASH PLUS study are the Centre for Translational Medicine at the University of Pécs Medical School (coordinating institution and sponsor) and the Hungarian Pancreatic Study Group (HPSG-coordinating society). The HPSG was established in 2011 to stimulate research in pancreatic diseases.

The following committees and boards will be involved:

Steering Committee (SC): The committee will be led by PH (corresponding and principal investigator, a gastroenterologist and internal medicine specialist).

The members in Szeged will be LC (gastroenterologist); Debrecen: MP (gastroenterologist); Pécs: ÁV (gastroenterologist), ON (endocrinologist), BB (endocrinologist), NF (radiologist), OF (radiologist), RP (surgeon), DK (surgeon); Székesfehérvár: FI (gastroenterologist); Gyula: JN (gastroenterologist) and one member of each joined institution. AM is a principal organiser, KM is a trial management specialist, whereas AS leads the multidisciplinary core facility which will assist the scientists to run the study successfully.

The SC will make decisions concerning all relevant questions including dropouts during the study.

International Translational Advisory Board (ITAB): The board will consist of a gastroenterologist (MML), a surgeon and two basic scientists (JPN, MST, OHP).

The ITAB will continuously monitor the progress of the study and will advise the SC.

The study was designed by the SC and ITAB. It was funded by the University of Pécs, Medical School. The sponsor was not involved in the design of the study and will have no access to the database or the randomisation code. The study also contains an independent physician and safety manager.

Study population

All patients enrolled in the GOULASH study will be offered the opportunity to participate in the GOULASH PLUS study. They will be given detailed verbal and written information by clinical doctors and administrators. After the consent is given, the annual follow-ups will be arranged and the above-detailed tests (table 1) and investigations will be performed (figures 1 and 2).

Flow chart of participants in the GOULASH PLUS study. CP, chronic pancreatitis; EUS, endoscopic ultrasonography; OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test; US, ultrasonography.

Shows the schedule of enrolment and assessments of participants according to the SPIRIT 2013 guideline. *A total of 957 patients participated in the GOULASH study. **The Administrator will call the patient’s attention to follow-up visits by telephone. ***Based on the preliminary data concerning the compliance with the 1-month follow-up, we estimate dropouts and participants who do not sign the consent form. ****Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) will be performed if diabetes mellitus is unknown and the fasting plasma glucose is level is ≤7 mmol/L. *****Based on morphological changes, the radiologist may recommend CT, endoscopic ultrasonography or MRI examination. ******In the University of Pécs, samples in the biobank will be kept to measure any kind of possible biomarkers which could be a candidate in the diagnosis of early phase of chronic pancreatitis. *******The questionnaires will be completed by the clinical research administrators. ******** It will be performed in the University of Pécs and Szeged.

Inclusion criteria for GOULASH study

The inclusion criteria are as follows: (1) patients above 18 years, (2) diagnosed AP based on the ‘2 out of 3’ rules of IAP/APA guideline36: (a) upper abdominal pain,(b) serum amylase or lipase >3× upper limit of normal range and (c) characteristic findings on pancreatic imaging; however, those patients without abdominal pain will be excluded because the onset of AP cannot be assessed; (3) written informed consent form is signed.

Exclusion criteria or reasons of compulsory dropout for the GOULASH study

The exclusion criteria are as follows: (1) hospitalisation 72 hours before admission; (2) abdominal pain >120 hours (5 days); (3) delirium tremens; (4) Child-Pugh C stage liver cirrhosis; (5) AP due to malignancy; (6) already on artificial nutrition (Enteral nutrition (EN) or parenteral nutrition (PN)); (7) pregnancy; (8) BMI above 40 or below 18; (9) age above 80; (10) ketoacidosis; (11) whenever CT with contrast is contraindicated.

Inclusion criteria for GOULASH PLUS

Patients participated in the GOULASH study and signed the consent form.

Exclusion criteria for GOULASH PLUS

The patient does not sign the consent form, or the patient withdraws the consent.

According to the ethical laws, individuals can leave the study at any time without reason and explanation. Serious medical reasons not related to pancreatitis (ie, accidents, stroke) means withdrawal of the subject from the study. All withdrawals will be filled; moreover, there will be no replacement of individual subjects after withdrawal.

Sample size

Sample size calculation for the GOULASH study was based on data extracted from the Hungarian National Registry of AP operated by the HPSG. The calculated sample size of the GOULASH study is 957 participants; however, the sample size calculation for the GOULASH PLUS study was performed based on the data of the HPSG registry and the articles published by Yadav et al 5 and Kin et al.37 Seventy-five newly developed CP is necessary to reach the required 5% alpha and 80% power for the individual biomarkers. Literature data suggest that the chance to develop CP is around 13% within the 6-year period. Therefore, the GOULAS-PLUS study requires 577 patients involvement. Several biomarkers including laboratory and imaging parameters, 2 years prior to the development of CP, will be investigated. Based on the preliminary data concerning the compliance with the 1 month follow-up, we estimate that 80% of the GOULASH study cohort will take part in the GOULASH PLUS study. However, we expect that the number of patients will decrease every year due to multiple reasons such as loss of motivation, migration and other reasons independent of AP (ageing, comorbidity).

Pitfalls: If the number of participants from the GOULASH study is low, patients with AP who were not included the GOULASH study will be approached too. However, in that case, the same inclusion criteria are kept, which are written in the GOULASH protocol.

Data management and statistical probes

Data handling

Data will be handled by Data Management and Biostatistics provider Organisation of the Centre for Translational Medicine. Electronic case report form (eCRF) will be used. The investigator will ensure that the data in the eCRF are accurate, complete and legible. Detailed data flow will be described in the data management plan. Any missing, impossible or inconsistent recordings in the eCRFs will be referred back to the investigator using a data query form, and be documented for each individual subject before clean file status is declared.

Study populations

Two analysis populations will be defined: (1) the safety analysis set consists of all patients enrolled to the study; (2) per protocol set with all enrolled patients who finished the study conforming to the requirements of the study protocol.

Applied software

Statistical analysis will be performed using SAS V.9.2 or SPSS V.24 statistical packages; Microsoft MS Word 2010 will be used for reporting.

Statistical methods

Baseline patient and disease characteristics will be analysed using descriptive analysis. Demographic and baseline characteristics will be summarised for the overall study population. Continuous variables will be described by mean, median, SD and ranges, and categorical variables will be described by absolute and relative frequencies. A graphical presentation of efficacy variables will be prepared, if applicable.

Descriptive statistics for the followed parameters will be analysed. Mean changes (and their 95% CI) from baseline to end-of-study visit will be presented as well. χ2 tests will be applied to compare proportions between the different groups. Mortality will be investigated using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis method, while subgroup comparisons will be performed using the χ2 or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate.

Subgroups

The following subgroups will be made during statistical analyses: (1) ages (under 40, 40–60, 60–80, above 80 years); (2) BMI (below 20, 20–25, 25–30, 30–35, above 35); (3) the number of RAP, CP; (4) severity of the disease SAP (severe AP) and MAP (mild and moderately severe AP).

All subgroup analyses will be done descriptively. No confirmatory statistical testing will be applied. Hence, statistical tests and the p values attached to them will be regarded as descriptive and not as tests of hypotheses.

Details of the applied statistical tests will be described in the statistical analysis plan.

Patient and public involvement statement

The GOULASH PLUS study aims to detect the first signs and biomarkers of early CP. It will be a 6-year observational prospective follow-up study with no intervention. The study will provide results, which will help to understand the development and risk factors of late complications in AP and the development of the pancreatic damage. All patients enrolled in the GOULASH study will be offered the opportunity to participate in the GOULASH PLUS study. They will be given detailed verbal and written information by clinical doctors and administrators. We would like to publish the results in one of the internationally highly recognised journals.

Publication policy

Centres providing more than 25 patients can provide two authors to the author’s list. Every additional 25 patients will give the opportunity to nominate an author.

Discussion

Expected results

We aim to understand the development and natural history of CP at its early phase. We would like to identify factors that are associated with the development of CP. With the help of the new information, new pharmaceutical or lifestyle interventions could be recognised. Our aim was to publish our future data in a high ranking multidisciplinary or gastroenterology journal, which of course will largely depend on the outcome of the study. We have done all the necessary administrative duties, which are compulsory for such distinguished clinical journals.