title: Acute pancreatitis in north-eastern peninsular Malaysia: an unusual demographic and aetiological pattern.
abstract: A survey of 142 cases of acute pancreatitis was undertaken in two major hospitals serving the state of Kelantan in Malaysia. Females outnumbered males by a ratio of more than 3:1. The incidence among females peaked in the third decade of life. Twenty-one percent (23/109) of the females were pregnant. Ultrasonography revealed gallstones in only 9.4% (13/138). However, abnormalities of serum transaminases were found in 35% (35/100), suggesting that occult gallstones or microlithiasis may be the cause in a significant proportion of patients. Alcohol was virtually absent as an aetiological factor. There was a higher frequency of Ascaris infection in this group than a control hospital population (11/35 vs 33/242; p < 0.02) suggesting that ascariasis may be an important cause of acute pancreatitis in Kelantan. Only 8.4% fell into the category of severe pancreatitis. The overall mortality rate was 2.1%.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Thambidorai
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kandasamy
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Toufeeq Khan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohamad
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mansur
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aiyar
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*