Acute pancreatitis and the influence of socioeconomic deprivation

Background:

A comprehensive epidemiological study of acute pancreatitis (AP) using reliable objective methods of patient identification with the inclusion of socioeconomic factors has not been reported previously.

Methods:

The study included all patients with AP identified by raised serum amylase or lipase levels admitted to 18 hospitals over 6 months. Clinical records were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis, aetiology and outcome. Patients were stratified into quintiles of socioeconomic deprivation. Age‐standardized incidence (ASI) and mortality were calculated.

Results:

Clinical data were reviewed for all 963 identified patients. The ASI was 56·5 per 10⁵ per annum, double the highest figure reported previously in the UK. Univariable logistic regression analysis showed a high ASI among older age groups (odds ratio (OR) 1·06 per year; P < 0·001) and in areas of high deprivation (OR 2·40 between least and most deprived; P < 0·001); the latter was predominantly related to alcoholic aetiology (OR 6·50 (95 per cent confidence interval 3·90 to 10·84)).

Conclusion:

The incidence of AP based on a highly sensitive method of case identification was higher than previously reported. A clear relationship was found between socioeconomic deprivation and incidence of AP, which was largely explained by a higher incidence of alcoholic aetiology. Copyright © 2008 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.