title: Early prediction of acute pancreatitis: prospective study comparing computed tomography scans, Ranson, Glascow, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, and various serum markers.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the predictability of the outcome of acute pancreatitis using the Ranson, Glascow, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, the computed tomography (CT) scan, and several serum markers. Altogether, 137 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis confirmed by CT scan were prospectively included. Blood samples were obtained daily for 6 days. The predictive value of each parameter was studied by univariate and multivariate analyses comparing mild and severe pancreatitis. A total of 111 attacks were graded as mild (81%) and 26 as severe (19%). Ranson (p = 0.3) and APACHE II (p = 0.049) scores appeared insufficiently predictive in the univariate analysis. Pancreatic imaging by CT scan was insufficiently predictive (p > 0.05), whereas the presence of extrapancreatic fluid collections was more indicative of outcome (p <0.05). With the univariate analysis, the four most reliable serum markers were pancreatic amylase (p <0.001), neutrophil elastase (p <0.05), albumin (p <0.002), and C-reactive protein (p <0.001). Results became homogeneous when the CT results were added; serum albumin plus extrapancreatic fluid collections (negative predictive value 92%-96% and positive predictive value 67%-100%) comprised the best indicator of severity. None of the parameters tested achieved sufficient predictability when used alone. Serum albumin plus extrapancreatic fluid collections comprise the best indicator of severity at the time of admission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Micheli du Crest, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: Jean Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Frossard
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mermillod
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soravia
authors.forename: Nouri
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mensi
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Adrien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rohner
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hadengue
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morel
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000681:Amylases