Dyslipidaemic pancreatitis clinical assessment and analysis of disease severity and outcomes

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between pancreatitis and dyslipidaemia is unclear.

Patients and methods: Admissions with acute pancreatitis were prospectively evaluated. A comparison of the demographic profile, aetiology, disease severity scores, complications and deaths was made in relationship to the lipid profiles.

Results: From June 2001 to May 2005, there were 230 admissions. The pancreatitis was associated with alcohol (63%), gallstones (18%), idiopathic (9%) and isolated dyslipidaemia (10%). Dyslipidaemia was significantly different between the two predominant race groups: Indian 50.5% and African 17.9% (p < 0.000017). Seventy-eight (34%) had associated dyslipidaemia and 152 (66%) were normolipaemic at admission. The average body mass index was higher in the dyslipidaemic group (27 +/- 6) than in the normolipaemic group (24.5 +/- 6.20; p = 0.004). The mortality rate was similar between the dyslipidaemic and normolipaemic patients (10 and 8%, respectively) and unrelated to race (p = 0.58). The 9 deaths in the dyslipidaemic group occurred in those with persistent hypertriglyceridaemia irrespective of its level (p = 0.003).

Conclusion: Dyslipidaemic pancreatitis was more common in the Indian ethnic group. Adverse outcomes in those with dyslipidaemia were predominantly associated with hypertriglyceridaemia.