Clinical Usefulness of Cortisol, Antinuclear Antibodies and High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein in Acute Pancreatitis

Clinical Usefulness of Cortisol, Antinuclear Antibodies and High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein in Diagnostic and Prognostic Evaluation of Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially life-threatening disease with varying severity of presentation. Nearly 60%-80% of all cases of AP in developed countries are attributable to either gallstone disease or alcohol abuse. The incidence is similar in both sexes, although alcohol abuse is the more common cause in men and gallstones is the more common cause in women.

Severe acute pancreatitis is one of the most common acute abdomens in clinical practice. Owing to its acute onset, rapid progress, and high mortality, it has become a hot clinical study spot and one of the toughest medical problems. Markers of inflammation, such as high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), are predictive of the severity of acute pancreatitis and may be useful in identifying patients with severe acute pancreatitis in the early phase after onset.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are important biomarkers for the autoimmune disorder. ANA may contribute to the pathogenesis of pancreatitis and ANA positivity is associated with the presence of autoimmune pancreatitis. Cortisol is released into the blood due to stimulation of corticotrophin receptors in the adrenal cortex. Thus, serum cortisol can be measured. Although the association between serum levels of some inflammatory marker and acute pancreatitis revealed, the relationship between ANA, cortisol, hs-CRP and with the severity of acute pancreatic lesions have not evaluated yet.

Inclusion Criteria:

• abdominal pain consistent with AP
• serum amylase activity at least 3 times greater than the upper limit of normal
• Patients of age 18 years or more who are willing to participate in the study and give their consent for same.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with severe liver disease, pulmonary embolus, sepsis, and renal failure were excluded from the study.