Acute Pancreatitis — What's New?

An up-to-date review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and current management of acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) has increased in the past decade and accounts for over 275,000 annual hospital admissions in the U.S. and estimated medical costs of $2.5 billion. The current review by three noted experts focuses on the most recent practice changes and addresses ongoing issues and questions in management of AP. Noteworthy points are as follows:

Morbid obesity and type II diabetes mellitus are independent risk factors for AP.
Patients with vague symptoms and minimal amylase/lipase elevation (<3 times the upper limit of normal) should not receive a diagnosis of AP.
The most useful predictors of severe disease are elevations at admission and during the following 24 to 48 hours of the following: hematocrit (>44%), blood urea nitrogen (>20 …

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors