title: Copeptin is a predictive biomarker of severity in acute pancreatitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute pancreatitis remains a common intraabdominal disease with a complex pathophysiology. The overall outcome has improved, but specific treatment remains elusive. The challenge is the early identification and treatment of patients who will develop severe acute pancreatitis. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate plasma levels of copeptin in the initial phase of predicted severe acute pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between August 2008 and December 2011, 57 patients with acute pancreatitis and 30 healthy individuals were included in the study. Four blood samples, for serum copeptin measurement, were taken from each individual in each group. The first measurement was taken from the admission blood sample. The subsequent 3 samples were taken at 12, 24, and 48 hours after the onset of pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Copeptin plasma concentrations were significantly higher in patients with acute pancreatitis when compared with healthy controls. Copeptin plasma concentrations in severe pancreatitis patients were significantly higher than in mild pancreatitis patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Copeptin plasma concentrations were significantly higher in patients with acute pancreatitis when compared with healthy controls. Copeptin plasma concentrations in severe pancreatitis patients were significantly higher than in mild pancreatitis patients.
authors: Department of Clinical Chemistry, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Ferruh Kemal
authors: FK
authors: Isman
authors: Baris
authors: B
authors: Zulfikaroglu
authors: Banu
authors: B
authors: Isbilen
authors: Necdet
authors: N
authors: Ozalp
authors: Mehmet Mahir
authors: MM
authors: Ozmen
authors: Ismail
authors: I
authors: Bilgic
authors: Mahmut
authors: M
authors: Koc
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006020:Glycopeptides; C048197:copeptins