Systematic review of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis: A more virulent etiology?

Cohort profile: the Swedish Pancreatitis Cohort (SwePan)

PURPOSE

The Swedish Pancreatitis Cohort (SwePan) was designed to study long-term outcomes following an episode of acute pancreatitis. It can also be used to study various risk factors for developing acute pancreatitis.

PARTICIPANTS

The SwePan is a register-based nationwide matched cohort. It includes all Swedish cases of acute pancreatitis during 1990-2019. It contains 95 632 individuals with acute pancreatitis and 952 783 pancreatitis-free individuals matched on sex, age and municipality of residence. Follow-up was censored at death, emigration or end of study (31 December 2019). The dataset includes comprehensive information based on several registries, and includes diagnoses, prescribed medications and socioeconomic factors both prior to inclusion and during follow-up.

FINDINGS TO DATE

During the study period, the number of cases of acute pancreatitis in Sweden has more than doubled from 1977 cases in 1990 to 4264 cases in 2019. The median age of first episode of acute pancreatitis has increased from 58 years (IQR 44-73 years) in 1990 to 64 years (IQR 49-76 years) in 2019. Cases with acute pancreatitis were generally less healthy compared with the pancreatitis-free individuals (Charlson Comorbidity Index of 0 in 59.2% and 71.4%, respectively).

FUTURE PLANS

SwePan will be used to determine the incidence of acute pancreatitis in Sweden over time and assess long-term all-cause and cause-specific mortality after an episode of acute pancreatitis. Some examples of additional planned studies are (1) assessment of long-term risk of diabetes and (2) risk of malignancy in adjacent organs following acute pancreatitis and (3) assessment of risk factors for development of acute pancreatitis including various drugs.

Blood Purification for Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of our study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of blood purification (BP) therapy in hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for articles published.

RESULTS

The analysis included 13 studies with 934 patients (263 in BP group, 671 in control group). There was no difference in efficacy and safety between the BP group and the control group (all P > 0.05). Compared with conventional treatment, BP had shorter hospital stay (mean difference, -4.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8.81 to -1.11; P = 0.01) in the case of similar mortality and complications. Meanwhile, insulin treatment showed similar mortality to BP, but fewer local complications (odds risk, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.13-4.20; P = 0.02) and shorter hospital stay (mean difference, 5.46; 95% CI, 0.64-10.29; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis, BP methods are effective in accelerating triglyceride level reduction and shortening hospital stay but do not affect the efficacy or reduce mortality significantly compared with conventional treatment. Insulin therapy has the same effect as BP but decreases incidence of complications and cost.

The effects of continuous renal replacement therapy with different anticoagulation methods on the expression of cytokines in severe acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a highly morbid condition in general population as well as in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with different anticoagulation methods on the expression levels of cytokines in SAP.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients with SAP, admitted into our hospital between September 2017 and July 2020, were enrolled as the research subjects and randomly divided into a control group (60 cases) and a study group (60 cases). CRRT with low molecular weight (LMW) heparin‑calcium anticoagulation was conducted on patients in the control group, and CRRT with topical citrate + low-dose LMW heparin‑calcium anticoagulation was conducted on patients in the study group. The expressions of cytokines in the two groups were compared after treatment.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive proteins (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) before treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the levels of WBC (P = 0.006), CRP (P < 0.001), and PCT (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the study group when compared with those in the control group. There was no significant difference in the concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly lower in the study group when compared with those in the control group. The APACHEII, SOFA and Ranson scores of the two groups were analyzed, and there was no difference between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the score of the study group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CRRT with topical citrate + low-dose LMW heparin‑calcium anticoagulation in the treatment of patients with SAP reduces the levels of WBC, CRP, and PCT and the concentrations of cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. This inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators in patients with SAP and reduces damage to the body caused by the inflammatory response, thus effectively improving the patients' condition.

Comparable Triglyceride Reduction With Plasma Exchange and Insulin in Acute Pancreatitis - A Randomized Trial

Background and Aims

Both insulin and plasma exchange (PE) are used in hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP). Our aim was to compare the efficacy of both treatments.

Methods

A randomized, parallel group study performed in a tertiary hospital in 22 HTG-AP patients with non-severe prognosis and triglycerides between 15 and 40 mmol/L. Patients were randomized to daily PE or insulin infusion until triglycerides were <10 mmol/L. Primary outcome was % reduction in triglycerides within 24 h. Secondary outcomes were days needed to lower triglycerides <10 mmol/L, highest CRP and percentage of patients with a severe course of pancreatitis.

Results

There was a trend toward a greater decrease in triglycerides within the first 24 h in the PE group (67 ± 17% vs. 53 ± 17%, p = 0.07), but the absolute difference was modest [mean difference of 6 mmol/L (14% of initial value)]. Triglycerides fell below 10 mmol/L in a median (IQR) of 1 (1-2) and 2 (1-2) days, respectively (p = 0.25). Secondary outcomes related to disease severity were also comparable: highest CRP 229 vs. 211 mg/L (p = 0.69) and severe course of pancreatitis in 2/11 cases in both groups (p = 1.0). Regarding treatment complications, there was one mild hypoglycemia and one allergic reaction during PE. Survival was 100% in both groups.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference, but only a trend toward a greater decrease in triglycerides with PE, and the clinical course was also comparable. These results do not support universal use of PE in patients with HTG-AP.

Clinical Trial Registration

[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT02622854].

Recurrent seasonal severe hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis; a case report

Introduction

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious inflammatory condition of the pancreas. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is considered an uncommon cause of AP. The current study aims to present a unique case of recurrent seasonal severe HTG-induced AP (HTG-AP); treated with insulin and heparin.

Case report

A 36-year-old male presented with recurrent attacks of severe upper abdominal pain that was radiating to the back and associated with repeated vomiting. The condition has being occurring every autumn-winter for the last three years. He had thalassemia minor and had a history of HTG-AP. His TG levels were relatively normal from February to August; however, from September to February, his TG levels highly elevated which has resulted in HTG-AP every year for the past three years. The condition was confirmed via a contrast-enhanced computerized tomography scan of the abdomen. To prevent the next HTG-AP, his TG level was monitored monthly. When TG levels spiked again, the patient was put on an insulin infusion with heparin, glucose, and potassium to rapidly reduce TG level. After two days, serum TG was dramatically reduced (<500 mg/dL).

Discussion

Despite multiple theories being proposed, the pathogenesis of HTG-AP is yet to be understood. Usually, HTG-AP is a single episodic, and recurrent HTG-AP is considered uncommon finding. Previous reports are contradictory regarding TG level and seasonal variation. There is currently no standard management approach to treat HTG-AP cases.

Conclusion

HTG-AP rarely reoccurs on an annual basis, and seasonal variation seems to play a major role in its onset. The condition can be managed with insulin, heparin, and glucose infusions.

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Hypertriglyceridemia is an uncommon cause of acute pancreatitis.

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Seasonal variation seems to play a role in the onset of recurrent hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis.

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It can be prevented and treated with insulin, heparin, and glucose infusions.

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This report aims to present a unique case of recurrent seasonal severe HTG-AP treated with insulin and heparin.

Hypertriglyceridaemia-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: A Different Disease Phenotype

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is the most common gastrointestinal indication requiring hospitalisation. Severe hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) is the third most common aetiology of AP (HTGAP), with a complication rate and severity that are higher than those of other aetiologies (non-HTGAP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the supposedly higher complication rate of HTGAP compared to non-HTGAP. The secondary objectives were to find different biomarkers for predicting a severe form. This was a retrospective study that included patients admitted with AP in a tertiary department of gastroenterology and hepatology. The patients were divided into two groups: HTGAP and non-HTGAP. We searched for differences regarding age, gender, the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), the severity of the disease, the types of complications and predictive biomarkers for severity, hospital stay and mortality. A total of 262 patients were included, and 11% (30/262) of the patients had HTGAP. The mean ages were 44.4 ± 9.2 in the HTGAP group and 58.2 ± 17.1 in the non-HTGAP group, p < 0.0001. Male gender was predominant in both groups, at 76% (23/30) in the HTGAP group vs. 54% (126/232) in non-HTGAP, p = 0.02; 53% (16/30) presented with DM vs. 18% (42/232), p < 0.0001. The patients with HTG presented higher CRP 48 h after admission: 207 mg/dL ± 3 mg/dL vs. non-HTGAP 103 mg/dL ± 107 mg/dL, p < 0.0001. Among the patients with HTGAP, there were 60% (18/30) with moderately severe forms vs. 30% (71/232), p = 0.001, and 16% (5/30) SAP vs. 11% (27/232) in non-HTGAP, p = 0.4 Among the predictive markers, only haematocrit (HT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) had AUCs > 0.8. According to a multiple regression analysis, only BUN 48 h was independently associated with the development of SAP (p = 0.05). Diabetes mellitus increased the risk of developing severe acute pancreatitis (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 0.1963−9.7682; p = 0.7). In our cohort, HTGAP more frequently had local complications compared with non-HTGAP. A more severe inflammatory syndrome seemed to be associated with this aetiology; the best predictive markers for complicated forms of HTGAP were BUN 48 h and HT 48 h.

Hypertriglyceridemia Acute Pancreatitis: Animal Experiment Research

In recent years, the number of acute pancreatitis cases caused by hypertriglyceridemia has increased gradually, which has caught the attention of the medical community. However, because the exact mechanism of hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) is not clear, treatment and prevention in clinical practice face enormous challenges. Animal models are useful for elucidating the pathogenesis of diseases and developing and testing novel interventions. Therefore, animal experiments have become the key research means for us to understand and treat this disease. We searched almost all HTG-AP animal models by collecting many studies and finally collated common animals such as rats, mice and included some rare animals that are not commonly used, summarizing the methods to model spontaneous pancreatitis and induce pancreatitis. We sorted them on the basis of three aspects, including the selection of different animals, analyzed the characteristics of different animals, different approaches to establish hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis and their relative advantages and disadvantages, and introduced the applications of these models in studies of pathogenesis and drug therapy. We hope this review can provide relevant comparisons and analyses for researchers who intend to carry out animal experiments and will help researchers to select and establish more suitable animal experimental models according to their own experimental design.

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy and its impact on the maternal and foetal outcomes: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of AP in pregnancy (APIP) is uncertain with varying reports of its impact on maternal and foetal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study was aimed to find the prevalence of APIP and its effect on the maternal and foetal outcomes.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Electronic databases were searched upto 31.05.2020 for the appropriate studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Prospective, retrospective observational studies or case series evaluating APIP in terms of maternal and foetal outcomes were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data on the prevalence of APIP, etiology, maternal mortality rates and foetal outcomes were collated. Due to high heterogeneity among the studies, the data has been represented as a systematic review.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies with 8466 pregnant patients were included in the systematic review. The overall prevalence of APIP ranged from 0.225/1000 pregnancies to 2.237/1000 pregnancies. Gallstone disease was the most common cause ranging from 14.29 to 96.3%, with eastern studies reporting more cases of hypertriglyceridemia as etiology. Mild pancreatitis was noted in 33.33-100% of cases with milder disease among western studies. APIP incidence was higher during 3rd trimester (27.27%-95.24%). Maternal mortality ranged from 0 to 12.12/100 pregnancies. Foetal loss ranged from 0 to 23.08%, with adverse foetal outcomes ranging from 0 to 57.41%. Neonatal mortality ranged from 0 to 75.5/1000 neonatal live birth.

CONCLUSION

APIP is usually mild, but its incidence increases with gestational age. Maternal outcome is usually good but adverse foetal outcome is high in APIP (PROSPERO No.: CRD42020194313).

Clinical Characteristics of Acute Pancreatitis Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infection

Background

There are few published reports describing the clinical characteristics of acute pancreatitis (AP) patients with multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of AP patients with MDRO infection in West China Hospital between July 2015 and June 2020. Basic clinical data, disease progression states, and prognoses of the MDRO and non-MDRO infection groups were compared and analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the related risk factors for MDRO infection. The prognoses of different MDRO infection types were compared.

Results

In total, 9812 AP patients were included, 2436 (24.83%) of whom had healthcare-associated infections (641 [26.31%] MDRO infections and 1795 [73.69%] non-MDRO infections). The main MDRO strain was carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) (400/62.40%). The rate of discharge against doctor’s advice, mortality, hospitalization expenses, and hospitalization days was higher in the MDRO infection group than in the noninfection group. By logistic regression analysis, the independent risk factors associated with MDRO infection included male sex (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.09~1.70), severity (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.10~1.78), ICU referral (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.79~3.44), abdominal puncture (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.93~4.02), fiberoptic bronchoscopy (OR 1.95, CI 1.35~2.81), and PICC/CVC placement (OR 1.48, CI 1.06~2.06). Compared with biliary and hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.73~1.23), alcohol (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.19~0.47) and other etiologies (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.41~0.81) conferred a lower risk of MDRO infection. The carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infection rate was highest in the patients who died.

Conclusion

The CRAB proportion was highest in AP patients with MDRO infection. MDRO infection is related to many factors, has a poor prognosis, and increases the patient burden. CRKP infection is directly related to poor prognosis.

Efficacy and safety of Qushi Huayu granule for hyperlipidemia: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background

Hyperlipidemia has become a common chronic disease worldwide in recent years. Studies have shown that hyperlipidemia patients, especially those with a high level of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), have a significantly higher prevalence of atherosclerosis, leading to coronary heart disease. Previous basic experiments and clinical studies have shown that Qushi Huayu granules (QSHY) reduce blood lipids in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) accompanied by hyperlipidemia. However, the clinical efficacy of QSHY in patients with hyperlipidemia is still lacking. This study aims to investigate the effect and safety of QSHY for hyperlipidemia.

Methods

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 210 participants will be enrolled and randomized into the QSHY or placebo granules groups in equal proportions, who will receive treatment for 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in LDL-C from baseline to week 12. Secondary outcomes will be changes in other serum lipids markers, life quality measuring health surveys, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern scale. All related tests will be measured at baseline, week 12, and week 24 after enrollment. Adverse events and the safety of intervention will be monitored and evaluated.

Discussion

We designed a clinical trial of hyperlipidemia management with QSHY, a TCM prescription. The results of this trial will present the efficacy and safety of QSHY in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000034125. Registered on June 25, 2019

Severe Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced Necrotizing Pancreatitis Associated With Ketogenic Diet in a Well-Controlled Patient With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The ketogenic diet (keto diet) has become an increasingly popular approach for both weight loss and as an alternative diet for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Owing to the nature of the keto diet, patients are at risk of developing hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) due to the high amount of triglycerides consumed by individuals during the initiation of this diet. Acute pancreatitis can result from HTG. We present a case of a 19-year-old African American male with well-controlled T2DM and no history of HTG who developed severe necrotizing HTG-induced pancreatitis after an unsupervised three-month trial of the keto diet.

Hypertriglyceridemia may contribute to stroke and pancreatitis: A case report and review of the literature

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is one of the most common clinical dyslipidemia. Nevertheless, stroke and acute pancreatitis co-occurrence due to hypertriglyceridemia are extremely rare. We present a case of hypertriglyceridemia-associated stroke and pancreatitis in a 39-year-old woman. The patient's laboratory tests reported high triglyceride concentrations beyond the instrument's detection range, and radiological examination showed typical signs of cerebral infarction and acute pancreatitis. The patient received combined blood purification therapy, intravenous thrombolysis with urokinase, and conservative treatment of pancreatitis. We discuss the clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertriglyceridemic stroke and pancreatitis combined with the relevant literature. We reviewed the mechanisms by which triglycerides contribute to atherosclerosis and acute pancreatitis. We point out the superiority of combined blood purification therapy and caution physicians about the effects of prescribed drugs on blood lipids.

Identification and Validation of Hub Genes in Acute Pancreatitis and Hypertriglyceridemia

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP) and the relationship between acute pancreatitis and hypertriglyceridemia are complex and not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to identify the hub genes along with common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between acute pancreatitis and hypertriglyceridemia.

METHODS

We downloaded three gene expression profiles of AP and one gene expression profile of hypertriglyceridemia from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and filtered the DEGs based on the above four datasets. Next, we identified the hub genes by performing the Gene Ontology (GO) term analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) construction. We also constructed the miRNA-hub gene network and established mouse models with hypertriglyceridemia and AP using a high-fat diet and injection of caerulein (CAE), respectively. Finally, the immunohistochemical analysis was used to verify the differential expressions of hub genes in AP, hypertriglyceridemia, and normal pancreatic tissue.

RESULTS

A total of 105 DEGs associated with AP and 149 DEGs associated with hypertriglyceridemia were identified. Additionally, we identified six hub genes of AP, all of which were closely related to the cytoskeleton while two DEGs genes were common in both AP and hypertriglyceridemia. We also verified their expression in mouse models. Finally, a network of miRNA-mRNA was also constructed, and the top seven interactive miRNAs (hsa-mir-1-3p, hsa-mir-5195-3p, hsa-mir-145-5p, hsa-let-7b-5p, hsa-mir-10b-5p, hsa-mir-206, and hsa-mir-613) targeting the most hub genes were identified.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we identified six hub genes associated with AP and two common DEGs associated with AP and hypertriglyceridemia along with seven miRNAs that may regulate AP. This study could provide new ideas for further elucidation of the pathogenesis of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis in the future.

Nomogram for Predicting Persistent Organ Failure With Acute Pancreatitis in Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy (APIP) with persistent organ failure (POF) poses a high risk of death for mother and fetus. This study sought to create a nomogram model for early prediction of POF with APIP patients.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study on APIP patients with organ failure (OF) between January 2012 and March 2021. 131 patients were collected. Their clinical courses and pregnancy outcomes were obtained. Risk factors for POF were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Prediction models with POF were built and nomogram was plotted. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by using a bootstrapped-concordance index and calibration plots.

RESULTS

Hypertriglyceridemia was the most common etiology in this group of APIP patients, which accounted for 50% of transient organ failure (TOF) and 72.3% of POF. All in-hospital maternal death was in the POF group (P<0.05), which also had a significantly higher perinatal mortality rate than the TOF group (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis determined that lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, serum creatinine, and procalcitonin were independent risk factors for predicting POF in APIP. A nomogram for POF was created by using the four indicators. The area under the curve was 0.875 (95%CI: 0.80-0.95). The nomogram had a bootstrapped-concordance index of 0.85 and was well-calibrated.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertriglyceridemia was the leading cause of organ failure-related APIP. Lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, serum creatinine, and procalcitonin were the independent risk factors of POF in APIP. Our nomogram model showed an effective prediction of POF with the four indicators in APIP patients.

Necrotizing Pancreatitis from Hypertriglyceridemia: More Severe Disease?

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) is caused by hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in up to 10% of patients. Clinical experience suggests that HTG-NP is associated with increased clinical severity; objective evidence is limited and has not been specifically studied in NP.

AIM

The aim of this study was to critically evaluate outcomes in HTG-NP. We hypothesized that patients with HTG-NP had significantly increased severity, morbidity, and mortality compared to patients with NP from other etiologies.

METHODS

A case-control study of all NP patients treated at a single institution between 2005 and 2018 was performed. Diagnostic criteria of HTG-NP included a serum triglyceride level > 1000 mg/dL and the absence of another specific pancreatitis etiology. To control for differences in age, sex, and comorbidities, non-HTG and HTG patients were matched at a 4:1 ratio using propensity scores. Outcomes were compared between non-HTG and HTG patients.

RESULTS

A total of 676 NP patients were treated during the study period. The incidence of HTG-NP was 5.8% (n = 39). The mean peak triglyceride level at diagnosis was 2923 mg/dL (SEM, 417 mg/dL). After propensity matching, no differences were found between non-HTG and HTG patients in CT severity index, degree of glandular necrosis, organ failure, infected necrosis, necrosis intervention, index admission LOS, readmission, total hospital LOS, or disease duration (P = NS). Mortality was similar in non-HTG-NP (7.1%) and HTG-NP (7.7%), P = 1.0.

CONCLUSION

In this large, single-institution series, necrotizing pancreatitis caused by hypertriglyceridemia had similar disease severity, morbidity, and mortality as necrotizing pancreatitis caused by other etiologies.

Clinical analysis of the therapeutic effect of plasma exchange on hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The therapeutic effect of plasma exchange (PE) on hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HTGAP) is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore this therapeutic effect.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study included 204 patients with HTGAP who underwent treatment at two provincial tertiary grade A hospitals in Fujian Province from October 2012 to May 2021. Patients were divided into a conventional group and a PE group. The Student's t-test and chi-square test were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Among 204 patients, 56 and 148 were included in the PE and conventional groups, respectively. After propensity score matching (PSM), the PE and conventional groups each had 42 patients. There was no significant difference in age; sex; pregnancy; comorbidities; laboratory findings; incidences of complications, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS); organ support treatment; surgical rate; mortality; and hospital stay between the groups (p > 0.05). The total expenses were significantly higher in the PE group than in the conventional group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the times of PE; total volume of PE; incidences of complications, and MODS; organ support treatment; surgical rate; mortality; and hospital stay between the early PE and delayed PE groups (p > 0.05). All patients in the PE group and conventional group with acute renal failure had significantly higher D-dimer levels than those without acute renal failure (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Compared with conventional treatment, PE does not have a better therapeutic effect on HTGAP. The D-dimer level can predict whether patients with HTGAP will have acute renal failure.

Hypertriglyceridemia Induced Pancreatitis: plasmapheresis or conservative management?

INTRODUCTION

Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HIAP) may result in severe morbidity and mortality. The most effective management strategy is unknown. While plasmapheresis is often performed, it is possible that a conservative approach which includes fasting, intravenous fluids and high-dose insulin, may be successful.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the 28 day mortality and morbidity parameters among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to HIAP when treated conservatively, as compared to patients who were treated with plasmapheresis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was performed, including all patients at least 18 years of age who were admitted to the ICU between the years 2010 to 2020 with diagnosis of HIAP. Patients underwent plasmapheresis or were managed conservatively. Collected data included patient demographics, chronic illness and medications, hospital and ICU admission times, 28-day mortality, need for ventilation, number of ventilation days, need for inotropic support, daily triglyceride levels, APACHE II score, lactate on admission, need for dialysis, antibiotic treatment, surgical or percutaneous intervention.

RESULTS

The study included 29 patients. Twenty two patients were treated conservatively and 7 patients with plasmapheresis. There were no significant statistical differences between the groups regarding demographic parameters, chronic disease and medications. Furthermore, on ICU admission and during the subsequent 4 days APACHE score, serum lactate and triglyceride levels were similar between the groups. There was no significant difference in mortality. However, plasmapheresis was associated with greater morbidity (longer admission times, need for ventilation and number of ventilation days, need for inotropic support and dialysis, and invasive surgical intervention). Finally, when compared to conservative management, the rate of serum triglyceride decrease was not improved following plasmapheresis.

CONCLUSION

Efficacy of conservative treatment in lowering the serum triglyceride level in HIAP is similar to plasmapheresis. Due to the small patient cohort further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

High concentrations of triglycerides are associated with diabetic kidney disease in new-onset type 2 diabetes in China: Findings from the China Cardiometabolic Disease and Cancer Cohort (4C) Study

AIMS

The aims of this study were to evaluate the associations of metabolic abnormalities with incident diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and to explore whether dyslipidaemia, particularly high fasting triglyceride (TG), was associated with the development of DKD.

METHODS

In total, 11 142 patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m² were followed up during 2011-2016. Incident DKD was defined as eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² at follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship of metabolic abnormalities at baseline and at follow-up with risks of DKD. High TG was defined by TG ≥1.70 mmol/L. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was defined by HDL-c <1.0 mmol/L for men or <1.3 mmol/L for women.

RESULTS

Participants who developed DKD had higher levels of waist circumference and systolic blood pressure, and lower levels of HDL-c at both baseline and follow-up visits. The DKD group also had higher levels of post-load plasma glucose and TG at follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both high TG at baseline [odds ratio (OR) = 1.37, p = .012) and high TG at follow-up (OR = 1.71, p < .001) were significantly associated with increased risks of DKD. Patients with high TG levels at both baseline and follow-up had higher risk of DKD compared with constantly normal TG (OR = 1.65, p < .001) after adjustment for covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large population of patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes, a high TG level was an independent risk factor for the development of DKD. Tight TG control might delay the occurrence of DKD.

Nomogram for the prediction of in-hospital incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with high mortality is the common complication in acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to formulate and validate an individualized predictive nomogram for in-hospital incidence of ARDS in Patients with AP.

METHOD

From January 2017 to December 2018, 779 individuals with AP were involved in this study. They were randomly distributed into primary cohort (n=560) and validation cohort (n=219). Based on the primary cohort, risk factors were identified by logistic regression model and a nomogram was performed. The nomogram was validated in the primary and validation cohort by the bootstrap validation method. The calibration curve was applied to evaluate the consistency between the nomogram and the ideal observation.

RESULTS

There were 728 patients in the non-ARDS group and 51 in the ARDS group, with an incidence of about 6.55%. Five independent factors including white blood cell counts (WBC), prothrombin time (PT), albumin (ALB), serum creatinine (SCR) and triglyceride (TG) were associated with in-hospital incidence of ARDS in Patients with AP. A nomogram was constructed based on the five independent factors with primary cohort of AUC=0.821 and validation cohort of AUC=0.823. Calibration curve analysis indicated that the predicted probability was in accordance with the observed probability in both primary and validation cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

The study developed an intuitive nomogram with easily available laboratory parameters for the prediction of in-hospital incidence of ARDS in patients with AP. The incidence of ARDS for an individual patient can be fast and conveniently evaluated by our nomogram.

Comparative analysis of epidemiology, etiology, and outcomes between elderly and young and middle-aged acute pancreatitis patients: a retrospective, single-center study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the etiology and epidemiology of the patients with first-attack acute pancreatitis of two-age groups.

METHODS

This is a retrospective comparative study of 2965 patients aged 18 years and older with first-attack acute pancreatitis between 2013 and 2018 in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University. Patients divided into the elderly group (age > or = 60 years) and the young and middle-aged group (age <60 years). The etiology tendency and clinical characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the elderly group, the proportions of women to men was higher compared with the young and middle-aged group (1.48 vs. 0.69, P < 0.001). The primary etiology of acute pancreatitis in two groups were biliary tract diseases. The main etiology of the young and middle-aged group among men was alcohol and among women was biliary disease. Comparing with the young and middle-aged group, the elderly patients had a higher proportion of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the proportions of system inflammatory reaction syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and shock were also higher in the elderly group (P < 0.001). Mortality in the elderly group and the young and middle-aged group was 1.69 and 0.72%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary tract diseases were the predominant etiological factor in two groups. The two groups had different etiological proportions according to gender, complications, comorbidities, and outcomes. Furthermore, elderly patients are more likely to with complications, comorbidities, and highly mortality rate. We should pay more attention to realize the characteristics of acute pancreatitis at different ages.

Pancreatic Safety of Once-Weekly Dulaglutide in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Subgroup Analysis by Potential Influencing Factors

INTRODUCTION

In the randomized, open-label, parallel-arm, active-controlled phase III AWARD-CHN2 trial, once-weekly dulaglutide plus concomitant oral antihyperglycemic medications (OAMs) improved HbA1c over 26 weeks compared with once-daily insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This post-hoc subgroup analysis of AWARD-CHN2 investigated the pancreatic safety of dulaglutide in Chinese patients with T2DM, stratified by potential influencing factors.

METHODS

Changes in pancreatic enzyme (pancreatic amylase, total amylase, and lipase) levels over 26 weeks were assessed and stratified by patient age (< 60, ≥ 60 years), sex (female, male), duration of diabetes (< 10, ≥ 10 years), baseline weight (< 70, ≥ 70 kg), BMI (< 25, ≥ 25 kg/m²), HbA1c (< 8.5, ≥ 8.5%), triglycerides (< 2.3, ≥ 2.3 mmol/L), and concomitant OAMs (metformin, sulfonylurea, metformin plus sulfonylurea).

RESULTS

A total of 203 Chinese patients with T2DM were included in this post-hoc analysis. Pancreatic enzyme levels increased within the normal range from baseline to Week 26, and no pancreatitis events were confirmed by independent adjudication. Least-squares mean increase in pancreatic amylase (U/L) from baseline to Week 26 was comparable across all subgroups with no statistically (all P-values > 0.05) or clinically significant between-group differences for age (< 60 years: 5.34; ≥ 60 years: 6.71), sex (female: 5.85; male: 5.66), duration of diabetes (< 10 years: 6.15; ≥ 10 years: 4.85), weight (< 70 kg: 6.19; ≥ 70 kg: 5.39), BMI (< 25 kg/m²: 5.92; ≥ 25 kg/m²: 5.61), HbA1c (< 8.5%: 6.82; ≥ 8.5%: 4.08), triglycerides (< 2.3 mmol/L: 4.94; ≥ 2.3 mmol/L: 8.04), and concomitant OAMs (metformin: 5.68; sulfonylurea: 5.44; metformin plus sulfonylurea: 5.87). Similar results were observed for total amylase and lipase.

CONCLUSION

In Chinese patients with T2DM receiving dulaglutide 1.5 mg in AWARD-CHN2, elevations of pancreatic enzymes over 26 weeks were within the normal range and were neither associated with pancreatitis nor baseline factors, which suggests the clinical use of dulaglutide in Chinese patients with T2DM is not associated with pancreatic safety issues.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01648582.

Hypertriglyceridemia in Critically Ill Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection

BACKGROUND

Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection could develop severe disease requiring critical care admission. Case reports indicated high incidence of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) in critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, which might be related to the drugs.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the risk factors associated with HTG in this population and to investigate the relationship between HTG and lipase.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was conducted at our hospital between March 1 and June 30, 2020. Patients were included if they were ≥18 years old, admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, and had triglycerides (TG) checked during their hospital stay.

RESULTS

Of the 111 critically ill patients, 103 patients were included. Males comprised 88.3% of the sample. The median TG at baseline was 197.4 (IQR: 139.8-283) mg/dL. The lipase median level at baseline was 23.00 (IQR: 0.00-69.50) IU/L. The results of the mixed-effects logistic regression analysis indicated that patient-level variables, favipiravir use, blood glucose level, and propofol use were significantly associated with HTG. There was no relationship between lipase and TG levels over time. Furthermore, TG concentrations over time showed a similar trend to inflammatory markers.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

The incidence of clinically significant HTG was high and was associated with propofol and favipiravir use. HTG might reflect the high inflammatory state in these patients. Clinicians should look at the full picture before changing therapies based only on HTG. Our findings need to be replicated in a larger prospective study.

Effect of TPE vs medical management on patient outcomes in the setting of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis with severely elevated triglycerides

OBJECTIVES

Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) accounts for 1 to 10% of pancreatitis cases, and is associated with a more severe clinical course. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a potential treatment option for quickly lowering plasma triglycerides (TG). Current ASFA guidelines define HTG-AP as a Category III disorder, indicating the role of apheresis is not firmly established. Here, we examine clinical data regarding its effectiveness on morbidity and mortality in patients with HTG-AP presenting with severely elevated plasma triglycerides (>4000 mg/dl).

METHODS

We retrospectively examined clinical data and outcomes from 67 consecutive episodes of HTG-AP over a 5-year period in which either medical management alone or medical management plus adjunct TPE was employed to reduce plasma triglycerides.

RESULTS

16/67 admissions involved TPE, initiated at a mean of 0.7 days from the time of presentation, while 51 received medical management alone. After only one TPE procedure, the mean TG values decreased from 4103 to 1045 mg/dl (a reduction of 74.7%), and those receiving TPE reached plasma TG < 1000 mg/dl 0.99 days faster than the medical group. One patient in the TPE group died. However, when excluding patients with hospital courses complicated by multiple organ dysfunction, there was no significant difference in mortality or hospital length of stay (LOS) between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In uncomplicated cases of HTG-AP with an absence of multiorgan dysfunction, there is no significant benefit to either mortality or LOS when adding adjunct TPE to medical management, even when patients present with severely elevated levels of TG.

Current Diagnosis and Management of Primary Chylomicronemia

Primary chylomicronemia (PCM) is a rare and intractable disease characterized by marked accumulation of chylomicrons in plasma. The levels of plasma triglycerides (TGs) typically range from 1,000 - 15,000 mg/dL or higher.

PCM is caused by defects in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) pathway due to genetic mutations, autoantibodies, or unidentified causes. The monogenic type is typically inherited as an autosomal recessive trait with loss-of-function mutations in LPL pathway genes ( LPL , LMF1 , GPIHBP1 , APOC2 , and APOA5 ). Secondary/environmental factors (diabetes, alcohol intake, pregnancy, etc.) often exacerbate hypertriglyceridemia (HTG).

The signs, symptoms, and complications of chylomicronemia include eruptive xanthomas, lipemia retinalis, hepatosplenomegaly, and acute pancreatitis with onset as early as in infancy. Acute pancreatitis can be fatal and recurrent episodes of abdominal pain may lead to dietary fat intolerance and failure to thrive.

The main goal of treatment is to prevent acute pancreatitis by reducing plasma TG levels to at least less than 500-1,000 mg/dL. However, current TG-lowering medications are generally ineffective for PCM. The only other treatment options are modulation of secondary/environmental factors. Most patients need strict dietary fat restriction, which is often difficult to maintain and likely affects their quality of life.

Timely diagnosis is critical for the best prognosis with currently available management, but PCM is often misdiagnosed and undertreated. The aim of this review is firstly to summarize the pathogenesis, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and management of PCM, and secondly to propose simple diagnostic criteria that can be readily translated into general clinical practice to improve the diagnostic rate of PCM. In fact, these criteria are currently used to define eligibility to receive social support from the Japanese government for PCM as a rare and intractable disease.

Nevertheless, further research to unravel the molecular pathogenesis and develop effective therapeutic modalities is warranted. Nationwide registry research on PCM is currently ongoing in Japan with the aim of better understanding the disease burden as well as the unmet needs of this life-threatening disease with poor therapeutic options.

Variations in Gut Microbiome are Associated with Prognosis of Hypertriglyceridemia-Associated Acute Pancreatitis

Hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis (HTGAP) is linked with increased severity and morbidity. Intestinal flora plays an important role in the progression of acute pancreatitis (AP). However, pathogenetic association between gut microbiota and HTGAP remains unknown. In this study, we enrolled 30 HTGAP patients and 30 patients with AP that is evoked by other causes. The V3–V4 regions of 16S rRNA sequences of the gut microbiota were analyzed. Clinical characteristics, microbial diversity, taxonomic profile, microbiome composition, microbiological phenotype, and functional pathways were compared between the two groups. Our results showed that the HTGAP group had a higher proportion of severe AP (46.7% vs. 20.0%), organ failure (56.7% vs. 30.0%), and a longer hospital stay (18.0 days vs. 6.5 days). HTGAP group also had poorer microbial diversity, higher abundances of Escherichia/Shigella and Enterococcus, but lower abundances of Dorea longicatena, Blautia wexlerae, and Bacteroides ovatus as compared with non-HTGAP group. Correlation analysis revealed that gut bacterial taxonomic and functional changes were linked with local and systemic complications, ICU admission, and mortality. This study revealed that alterations of gut microbiota were associated with disease severity and poor prognosis in HTGAP patients, indicating a potential pathophysiological link between gut microbiota and hypertriglyceridemia related acute pancreatitis.

Secondary Causes of Hypertriglyceridemia are Prevalent Among Patients Presenting With Hypertriglyceridemia Induced Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis (HIAP) is the third common cause of acute pancreatitis. HIAP can result in recurrent attacks of severe AP with significant morbidity and mortality. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) could be primary or secondary. Although genetic causes of HTG are well studied, the prevalence of secondary causes of HTG in patients presenting with HIAP is not well characterized. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of risk factors for secondary hypertriglyceridemia among patients presenting with HIAP in a tertiary referral center in a large metropolitan area.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted with AP from August 2012-2017. A subgroup of patients with triglycerides >880 mg/dl were included for analysis. Secondary causes of HTG were identified. Secondary analysis evaluating the severity of pancreatitis was performed.

RESULTS

There were 3,746 patients admitted for AP of which 57 patients had AP and HTG. Of these 57 patients, 70.2% had history of diabetes mellitus, 26.3% had history of heavy alcohol use, 22.8% had chronic kidney disease, 47.3% with obesity, and 21.1% with metabolic syndrome. Two patients were classified as unexplained HTG. Secondary analysis showed a total of 45.6% of patients requiring ICU admission. 26.3% of patients with severe inflammatory pancreatitis and 17.5% of patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort of HIAP, 55 out of 57 patients had secondary causes for HTG. Identifying secondary causes of HTG during acute hospitalization is important to tailor outpatient treatment in order to prevent future admissions with HIAP.

The association of parameters of body composition and laboratory markers with the severity of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia has arisen as the third leading cause of acute pancreatitis. This study aimed at exploring the association between the severity of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis (HTGP) and computed tomography (CT)-based body composition parameters and laboratory markers.

METHODS

Laboratory and clinical parameters were collected from 242 patients with HTGP between 2017 and 2020. Severity of HTGP was evaluated by original or modified CT severity index. Body composition parameters such as area and radiodensity of muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue were calculated by CT at the level of third lumbar vertebra. Parameters were compared between mild and moderately severe to severe HTGP. Uni-variate and multi-variate Logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the risk factors of the severity of HTGP.

RESULTS

Seventy patients (28.9%) presented with mild HTGP. Body mass index, waist circumference and all CT-based body composition parameters differed between male and female patients. None was associated with the severity of HTGP, neither in males nor in females. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that areas under the curves of apolipoprotein A-I and albumin to predict the severity of HTGP were 0.786 and 0.759, respectively (all P < 0.001). Uni-variate and further multi-variate Logistic regression analysis confirmed that low serum albumin (< 35 g/L, P = 0.004, OR = 3.362, 95%CI = 1.492-8.823) and apolipoprotein A-I (< 1.1 g/L, P < 0.001, OR = 5.126, 95%CI = 2.348-11.195), as well as high C-reactive protein (> 90 mg/L, P = 0.005, OR = 3.061, 95%CI = 1.407-6.659) and lipase (P = 0.033, OR = 2.283, 95%CI = 1.070-4.873) were risk factors of moderately severe to severe HTGP. Levels of albumin, apolipoprotein A-I, C-reactive protein and lipase were also associated with the length of hospital stay (all P < 0.05). Besides, low serum albumin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high radiodensity of subcutaneous adipose tissue were significant risk factors of pancreatic necrosis in patients with HTGP (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Low serum albumin and apolipoprotein A-I, and high C-reactive protein and lipase upon admission were associated with a more severe type of HTGP and longer hospital stay for these patients. Albumin and apolipoprotein A-I may serve as novel biomarkers for the severity of HTGP. However, none of the body composition parameters was associated with the severity of HTGP.

Effectiveness and safety of lomitapide in a patient with familial chylomicronemia syndrome

BACKGROUND

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is characterized by severe fasting hypertriglyceridemia, abdominal pain, and recurrent acute pancreatitis. Available triglyceride-lowering drugs are insufficient to avoid pancreatitis. Therefore, there is a significant unmet medical need for effective triglyceride-lowering drugs for patients with FCS.

CASE REPORT

We report the second case of a patient with FCS and recurrent pancreatitis treated with lomitapide. Lomitapide treatment resulted in a reduction of fasting TG levels from 2897 mg/dL (32.71 mmol/L) to an average of 954 mg/dL (10.77 mmol/L) on the 30 mg lomitapide equating to a 67% reduction from baseline. After 26 months of lomitapide treatment, histological activity score for hepatic fibrosis was stable although liver biopsy showed a marked increase of liver steatosis and mild perivenular and perisinusoidal fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Lomitapide is effective in reducing triglycerides in FCS and preventing the recurrence of acute pancreatitis. A longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate long-term risk of progression toward severe stages of liver fibrosis. A prospective clinical trial may identify which subgroup of FCS patients would benefit from lomitapide treatment in the absence of significant liver adverse effects.

Measurement of apolipoprotein B levels helps in the identification of patients at risk for hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a common cause of acute pancreatitis, although even moderate HTG may elevate this risk. Identifying patients who are prone to hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HTGP) can facilitate early, preventative interventions.

OBJECTIVE

To examine advanced lipoprotein profile (ALP) of hypertriglyceridemic patients with and without HTGP to identify lipid and lipoprotein parameters which may help improve risk stratification.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with serum triglycerides (TGs) ≥ 500 mg/dL who underwent ALP testing. Chart reviews were conducted to identify those who developed HTGP or not. Comparisons of lipid profiles of patients with and without HTGP were performed using chi-square or rank-sum tests. ROC curves were generated to identify lipid and lipoprotein parameters which helped improve prediction of HTGP beyond serum TG levels.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight subjects were included in the analysis. Twenty had at least one documented episode of HTGP. Among patients with HTGP, median serum TG concentrations were 2832 mg/dL vs. 978 mg/dL in the non-pancreatitis group (p < 0.001). Chylomicron TG/total TG, chylomicron TG/VLDL TG, chylomicron TG/apoB, total TG/total Cholesterol, and total TG/apoB were significantly higher among the pancreatitis group. Total serum TG/apoB had the best discriminant value for predicting HTGP with an AUC-ROC of 0.87 (p < 0.001). A cutoff of >10.6 was associated with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 75%.

CONCLUSION

Measurement of serum apoB levels and calculation of serum TG/apoB ratio may help identify hypertriglyceridemic patients at risk for HTGP.

Incidence and Management of Hypertriglyceridemia-Associated Acute Pancreatitis: A Prospective Case Series in a Single Australian Tertiary Centre

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis (HTGAP) has been linked with increased severity and morbidity. In this study, triglyceride levels were measured in all patients admitted with acute pancreatitis (AP) to establish the incidence of HTGAP in an Australian center.

METHODS

A prospective cohort with AP was collated over an 18-month period in a single tertiary referral hospital. HTGAP was defined as AP with triglycerides ≥ 11.2 mmol/L (1000 mg/dL). Incidence, clinical co-morbidities, severity and management strategies were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 292 episodes of AP, 248 (85%) had triglycerides measured and were included. HTGAP was diagnosed in 10 of 248 (4%) AP cases. Type 2 diabetes, obesity, alcohol misuse and gallstones were common cofactors. The HTGAP group demonstrated severe hypertriglyceridemia compared to the non-HTGAP group (median 51 mmol/L vs. 1.3 mmol/L). Intensive care unit (ICU) admissions were significantly increased (odds ratio (OR) 16; 95% CI 4-62) in the HTGAP group (5/10 vs. 14/238 admissions, p < 0.001) and constituted 26% (5/19) of total ICU admissions for AP. Four patients received intravenous insulin with fasting and had a rapid reduction in triglyceride levels by 65-77% within 24 h; one patient had mild hypoglycemia secondary to therapy.

CONCLUSION

HTGAP occurred in 4% of AP cases and was associated with higher risk of ICU admission. Intravenous insulin and fasting appear safe and efficacious for acutely lowering triglyceride levels in HTGAP.

Assessment of the course of acute pancreatitis in the light of aetiology: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The main causes of acute pancreatitis (AP) are biliary disease, alcohol consumption, hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of these aetiological factors on the severity and outcome of AP. Pubmed and Embase were searched between 01/01/2012 and 31/05/2020. Included articles involved adult alcoholic, biliary, HTG- or post-ERCP AP (PAP) patients. Primary outcome was severity, secondary outcomes were organ failures, intensive care unit admission, recurrence rate, pancreatic necrosis, mortality, length of hospital stay, pseudocyst, fluid collection and systematic inflammatory response syndrome. Data were analysed from 127 eligible studies. The risk for non-mild (moderately severe and severe) condition was the highest in HTG-induced AP (HTG-AP) followed by alcoholic AP (AAP), biliary AP (BAP) and PAP. Recurrence rate was significantly lower among BAP vs. HTG-AP or AAP patients (OR = 2.69 and 2.98, 95% CI 1.55–4.65 and 2.22–4.01, respectively). Mortality rate was significantly greater in HTG-AP vs. AAP or BAP (OR = 1.72 and 1.50, 95% CI 1.04–2.84 and 0.96–2.35, respectively), pancreatic necrosis occurred more frequently in AAP than BAP patients (OR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.08–2.30). Overall, there is a potential association between aetiology and the development and course of AP. HTG-AP is associated with the highest number of complications. Furthermore, AAP is likely to be more severe than BAP or PAP. Greater emphasis should be placed on determining aetiology on admission.

Management of hypertriglyceridemia

Hypertriglyceridemia is one of the most common lipid abnormalities encountered in clinical practice. Many monogenic disorders causing severe hypertriglyceridemia have been identified, but in most patients triglyceride elevations result from a combination of multiple genetic variations with small effects and environmental factors. Common secondary causes include obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, alcohol misuse, and various commonly used drugs. Correcting these factors and optimizing lifestyle choices, including dietary modification, is important before starting drug treatment. The goal of drug treatment is to reduce the risk of pancreatitis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and cardiovascular disease in those with moderate hypertriglyceridemia. This review discusses the various genetic and acquired causes of hypertriglyceridemia, as well as current management strategies. Evidence supporting the different drug and non-drug approaches to treating hypertriglyceridemia is examined, and an easy to adopt step-by-step management strategy is presented.

The Clinical Characteristics of Acute Pancreatitis in Gerontal Patients: A Retrospective Study

Background

The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) in ageing patients has increased in recent years, and results regarding the clinical outcomes of these patients are controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of AP in ageing patients over 60 years old.

Methods

Eighty patients aged ≥80 years (oldest group) were compared to 393 patients aged 60 to 79 years (older group). The clinical course and biochemical and radiological data were evaluated. The primary endpoints were mortality rate, intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate and in-hospital length of stay (LOS). The secondary endpoints were the incidence of operative treatment and complications of AP.

Results

Abdominal pain (61.3% vs 46.3%, P=0.013) was less common in the oldest group. Jaundice (17.5% vs 8.9%, P=0.021) and dyspnoea (26.3% vs 11.5%, P=0.001) were more obvious in the oldest group than in the older group. The mean BMI was lower in the oldest group than in the older group (21.07±3.18 vs 22.36±2.89, P = 0.001). Age over 80 years (P=0.011) and organ failure (P<0.05) were independent risk factors for mortality. More severe AP (P=0.001), abdominal pain (P=0.033) and organ failure (P<0.05) were associated with the ICU admission rate. Age over 80 years (P=0.001), more severe AP (P=0.001), female sex (P=0.018), jaundice (P=0.038), operative treatment (P<0.05) and organ failure (P<0.05) were risk factors for increased LOS.

Conclusion

The oldest group had a higher death rate and longer LOS than the older group. More attention should be given to the clinical symptoms of this frail population. We propose that more comprehensive and goal-directed attendant diagnostic procedures should be performed to detect the disease early and to improve the outcomes of ageing patients.

Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury in Acute Pancreatitis: A 7-Year Retrospective Analysis of Patients in a Large Tertiary Hospital

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to investigate the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODS

Acute pancreatitis patients were retrospectively divided into 2 groups: AKI and non-AKI. We used logistic regression analysis to investigate the risk factors for AP patients with AKI. We also compared the incidence of complications and mortality between the non-AKI and AKI groups.

RESULTS

A total of 1255 AP patients without AKI and 430 AP patients with AKI were included. The risk factors for AKI in AP were hypertriglyceridemia (P = 0.001), severity (P = 0.001), etiology (P = 0.001), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (P = 0.001). The incidences of organ failure (P = 0.001), pancreatic necrosis (P = 0.001), and mortality (P = 0.001) were greater in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertriglyceridemia, severity, etiology, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores are independent risk factors for AKI in AP patients. Those patients have serious outcomes such as high rate of organ failure, pancreatic necrosis, and debridement of necrosis.

Prognostic value of dyslipidemia for sick dogs hospitalized in the intensive care unit of a veterinary teaching hospital

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the lipidemia status and serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides of dogs when initially examined for hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a veterinary teaching hospital and to determine whether these variables were predictive of survival to hospital discharge. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 549 client-owned sick (n = 398) and healthy (151) dogs. PROCEDURES Medical records of sick dogs hospitalized in the ICU at a veterinary teaching hospital between January 1, 2012, and September 30, 2015, and of healthy dogs evaluated at the teaching hospital during the same time frame were reviewed. Data collection included signalment, results of initial physical and clinicopathologic examinations, treatments, diagnosis, and survival to hospital discharge. Lipidemia status and serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides were compared between healthy and sick dogs and between sick dogs that did and did not survive to hospital discharge. Regression analysis was performed to determine whether these variables were predictive of survival to hospital discharge in dogs. RESULTS Factors associated with increased odds of sick dogs not surviving to hospital discharge were hypocholesterolemia (OR, 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 3.34), hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 2.00 to 5.13), and concurrent hypocholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia (OR, 55.7; 95% CI, 3.2 to 959.6) at the time of initial evaluation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that hypocholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, alone or in combination, at initial examination were negative prognostic indicators for survival of dogs hospitalized in the ICU and that these conditions were easily identified with routine serum clinicopathologic analyses. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019;254:699-709).

Hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis

Hypertriglyceridemia is the third most common cause of acute pancreatitis. It typically occurs in patients with an underlying disorder of lipoprotein metabolism and in the presence of a secondary condition such as uncontrolled diabetes, alcohol abuse, or medication use. The presentation of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis is similar to that of acute pancreatitis due to other causes; however, patients with hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis are more likely to have severe disease courses and have a higher likelihood of persistent organ failure. The initial treatment of hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis is also similar to acute pancreatitis from other causes and consists of aggressive fluid resuscitation, pain control, and nutritional support. Hypertriglyceridemia is specifically treated with apheresis or insulin therapy when necessary. The prompt recognition of hypertriglyceridemia in the setting of acute pancreatitis is essential in both the initial and long-term management of this disease and are essential to prevent recurrent acute pancreatitis. The review seeks to highlight the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical course of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis.

The early predictive value of routine laboratory tests on the severity of acute pancreatitis patients in pregnancy: a retrospective study

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy (APIP) varies in severity from a self-limiting mild condition to a severe life-threatening condition, and its severity is significantly correlated with higher risks of maternal and foetal death. This study evaluated the early predictive value of routine laboratory tests on the severity of APIP patients. We enrolled 100 patients with APIP in West China Hospital. Initial routine laboratory tests, including the biochemistry and hematologic tests were collected within 48 hours after the onset of APIP. For predicting SAP in AP, LDH had the highest specificity of 0.879. RDW was a suitable predictive marker as it had the sensitivity of 0.882. Lower levels of triglycerides (<4.72 mmol/L) predicted mild AP of APIP, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.724, and a negative predictive value of 0.80. Furthermore, a risk score was calculated based on white blood cells, neutrophils, RDW, LMR and LDH, as an independent marker (adjusted odds ratio = 3.013, 95% CI 1.893 to 4.797, P < 0.001), with the highest AUC of 0.906, a sensitivity of 0.875 and a specificity of 0.828. In conclusion, the risk score we recommended was the powerful marker to aid in the early prediction of the severity of APIP patients.

Clinical features and outcomes of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis: Propensity score matching analysis from a prospective acute pancreatitis registry

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a well-known cause of acute pancreatitis (AP) and elevation of serum triglycerides (TG) to ≥1000 mg/dl is strongly indicative of HTG-induced AP (HTG-AP). HTG-AP is potentially associated with persistent organ failure and poor prognosis. Here, we compared differences in clinical features and outcomes between patients with HTG-AP and patients with AP due to other causes.

METHODS

A prospective AP registry was constructed in Gil Medical Center between June 2014 and May 2018. In total, 499 patients with AP were included for whom serum TG data at admission were available.

RESULTS

HTG-AP was present in 52 patients (10.4%); these patients were younger than patients with AP due to other causes (39.62 ± 10.12 vs. 51.62 ± 17.41, p < 0.001). After propensity score matching adjusted by age, the factors associated with severity were more common in the HTG-AP group; these factors included the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, Ranson's score ≥3, acute physiology, age, chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score ≥8 at admission, and C-reactive protein level >10 mg/dl after 24 h of hospitalization. There were no significant differences in complications or severity based on the revised Atlanta classification 2012. In addition, recurrence was more frequent in the HTG-AP group (25.0% vs. 6.4%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

HTG-AP occurred in younger patients and showed more frequent recurrences than AP with other causes. Although factors related to severe feature were more common in HTG-AP during early phase, overall severity and prognosis were not different between the two groups.

The effectiveness of acupoint catgut embedding in hyperlipidemia with obesity: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia is a common disease characterized as blood lipid metabolism disorders, which is always companied with obesity. Hyperlipidemia is the leading cause of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) closely associated with mortality, and the risk can further elevate in the obese population. Additionally, it induces stroke and acute pancreatitis. Studies demonstrated that acupoint catgut embedding is an effective therapy for hyperlipidemia with obesity. Whereas, there is no systematic review and meta-analysis to support the point. Thus, we intend to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to testify its effectiveness in hyperlipidemia with obesity.

METHODS

We will include articles by searching the following database: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese Science Journal Database (VIP), and Wanfang database. Whats more, the manual search can be executed as the complement of database searching. Endnote X8 and RevMan V.5.3 will be used to complete the process of study selection, data analysis, as well as date management.

RESULT

The primary outcomes contain the reduction of TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and BMI, body weight (WB), waist circumference(WC), body fat percent (F%) from baseline to the end of studies. The second outcome is the number of adverse events during the total trial.

CONCLUSION

We will summarize sufficient evidence to confirm the therapeutic effect and safety of acupoint catgut embedding in hyperlipidemia with obesity.

INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY202040036.

Gene-environment interaction between APOA5 c.553G>T and pregnancy in hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

The etiology of hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and, consequently, HTG-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP), is complex.

OBJECTIVE

Herein, we explore a possible gene-environment interaction between APOA5 c.553G>T (p.185Gly>Cys, rs2075291), a common variant associated with altered triglyceride levels, and pregnancy in HTG-AP.

METHODS

We enrolled 318 Chinese HTG-AP patients and divided them into 3 distinct groups: Group 1, male patients (n = 183); Group 2, female patients whose disease was unrelated to pregnancy (n = 105); and Group 3, female patients whose disease was related to pregnancy (n = 30). APOA5 rs2075291 genotype status was determined by Sanger sequencing. A total of 362 healthy Han Chinese subjects were used as controls. Data on body mass index, peak triglyceride level, age of disease onset, episode number, and clinical severity of HTG-AP were collected from each patient. Multiple comparisons, between patient groups, between patient groups and controls, or within each patient group, were performed.

RESULTS

A robust association of APOA5 rs2075291 with HTG-AP in general, and HTG-AP during pregnancy in particular, was demonstrated. The minor T allele showed a stronger association with Group 3 patients than with either Group 1 or Group 2 patients. This stronger association was due mainly to the much higher frequency of TT genotype in Group 3 patients (20%) than that (<6%) in Group 1 and Group 2 patients. Moreover, the TT genotype was associated with a significantly higher peak triglyceride level in Group 3 patients compared with the GG genotype.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide evidence for an interaction between APOA5 rs2075291 and pregnancy in HTG-AP.

Comparison of Scoring Systems in Predicting Severity and Prognosis of Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced Acute Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

In China, hyperlipidemia is the second major reason of acute pancreatitis.

AIMS

Comparison of Scoring Systems in identification patients at risk for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), pancreatic necrosis (PNec), and infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) early in the course of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP).

METHODS

Predictive accuracy of scoring systems was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in a retrospective study. Pairwise AUC comparisons were performed to calculate the difference between scoring systems.

RESULTS

A total of 238 patients diagnosed with HTG-AP were included. Sixty patients (25.2%) were classified as SAP. Twenty-nine patients (12.2%) had evidence of PNec. Nine patients (3.8%) were diagnosed with IPN. One patient (0.4%) died during hospitalization. In predicting SAP in HTG-AP, the AUCs of APACHE-II, SOFA, SIRS, Ranson's, BISAP, and MMS were 0.77, 0.83, 0.73, 0.88, 0.83, and 0.85, respectively; in predicting PNec, were 0.75, 0.77, 0.75, 0.86, 0.80, and 0.75, respectively; and in predicting IPN, were 0.92, 0.86, 0.76, 0.85, 0.84, and 0.87, respectively. Pairwise AUC comparisons revealed that Ranson's, MMS, BISAP, and SOFA had higher accuracy than SIRS, Ranson's and MMS had higher accuracy than APACHE-II in predicting SAP; Ranson's had the same accuracy with BISAP, but higher than other four criteria in predicting PNec; APACHE-II had higher accuracy than SIRS in predicting IPN.

CONCLUSIONS

APACHE-II had high performance in predicting IPN, and all other score systems had medium performance in predicting SAP, PNec, and IPN in HTG-AP. Each score has its merit and weakness; BISAP may be the best criterion in predicting severity and prognosis of HTG-AP.

Clinical features of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis in an international, multicenter, prospective cohort (APPRENTICE consortium)

BACKGROUND

The clinical features and outcomes of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) are not well-established.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of HTG-AP in an international, multicenter prospective cohort.

METHODS

Data collection was conducted prospectively through APPRENTICE between 2015 and 2018. HTG-AP was defined as serum TG levels >500 mg/dl in the absence of other common etiologies of AP. Three multivariate logistic regression models were performed to assess whether HTG-AP is associated with SIRS positive status, ICU admission and/or moderately-severe/severe AP.

RESULTS

1,478 patients were included in the study; 69 subjects (4.7%) were diagnosed with HTG-AP. HTG-AP patients were more likely to be younger (mean 40 vs 50 years; p < 0.001), male (67% vs 52%; p = 0.018), and with a higher BMI (mean 30.4 vs 27.5 kg/m²; p = 0.0002). HTG-AP subjects reported more frequent active alcohol use (71% vs 49%; p < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (59% vs 15%; p < 0.001). None of the above risk factors/variables was found to be independently associated with SIRS positive status, ICU admission, or severity in the multivariate logistic regression models. These results were similar when including only the 785 subjects with TG levels measured within 48 h from admission.

CONCLUSION

HTG-AP was found to be the 4th most common etiology of AP. HTG-AP patients had distinct baseline characteristics, but their clinical outcomes were similar compared to other etiologies of AP.

Serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations and lipoprotein profiles in dogs with naturally occurring pancreatitis and healthy control dogs

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported an association between hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis in dogs, but details of this association remain poorly defined.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

To compare serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations and lipoprotein profiles between dogs with naturally occurring pancreatitis and healthy dogs.

ANIMALS

Seventeen dogs with a clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis (Group 1) and 53 healthy control dogs (Group 2).

METHODS

Prospective case-control study.

RESULTS

In Group 1, 3/17 dogs (18%) had hypertriglyceridemia whereas in Group 2, 4/53 dogs (7.5%) had hypertriglyceridemia (odds ratio [OR], 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-13.14; P = .35). A significant difference was found in serum triglyceride concentrations between Group 1 (median, 67 mg/dL) and Group 2 (median, 54 mg/dL; P = .002). In Group 1, 4/17 dogs (24%) had hypercholesterolemia, whereas 1/53 (1.9%) dogs in Group 2 had hypercholesterolemia (OR, 16; 95% CI, 1.64-155.5; P = .01). No significant difference was found in serum cholesterol concentrations between Group 1 (median, 209 mg/dL) and Group 2 (median, 227 mg/dL; P = .56). Lipoprotein profiles were significantly different between Group 1 and Group 2 dogs (Eigenvalues, 0.6719; R² = 1.0; P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Most dogs with pancreatitis (>70%) had serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations within reference intervals. In the small percentage of dogs that had hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, or both, increases were mild. Important differences were identified in lipoprotein profiles between dogs with pancreatitis and healthy control dogs. Dogs with pancreatitis had higher low-density lipoprotein fractions and lower triglyceride-rich lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein fractions than healthy dogs.

Timely Reduction of Triglyceride Levels Is Associated With Decreased Persistent Organ Failure in Hypertriglyceridemic Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the reduction of serum triglycerides (TGs) and the severity of disease in patients with hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HTGP).

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted among patients with HTGP. Serum TGs measured on admission (TG0), 24 hours after admission (TG24), and 48 hours after admission (TG48) were compared between patients with and without persistent organ failure (POF). Multivariable analysis determined whether elevated TG levels were independently associated with POF.

RESULTS

A total of 242 patients were included, of which 62 patients (25.6%) developed POF. Patients who developed POF had higher TG levels of TG0, TG24, and TG48 than those without POF (all P < 0.05). Patients with earlier TG levels of less than 5.65 mmol/L were proportionally less likely to develop POF (Ptrend = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, TG48 of 5.65 mmol/L or more was independently associated with POF (odds ratio, 3.316; 95% confidence interval, 1.256-8.755; P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Timely reduction of serum TGs during the early phase of HTGP is proportionally associated with decreased development of POF. Serum TG levels by 48 hours of admission correlate independently with POF.

Predictability and efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange for hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis is associated with more severe clinical course than acute pancreatitis caused by other etiologies. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a potential treatment for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis due to its rapid effect in lowering triglycerides (TG) levels and reducing inflammatory cytokines. However, clinical data regarding the effectiveness and safety of TPE is limited.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed eight cases of hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis and treated with TPE. Patients' demographic data, personal history, clinical course, laboratory results, apheresis data and clinical outcome were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

At initial presentation, the average TG levels for the eight patients was 3381.6 mg/dl (SD: 1491.6 mg/dl). Twelve procedures were performed on the eight patients in the study, and TG levels decreased by an average of 2673.2 mg/dl (SD: 2306.3 mg/dl) with a corresponding average reduction rate of 60.3 % (SD:21.1 %), ranging from 14.6%-84.9%. A 60 % or greater reduction was achieved in 66.7 % of all the procedures; however, the degree of reduction for each procedure was not predictable, even among repeat procedures on the same patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that TPE is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis. However, due to the unpredictability of TG removal, repeat procedures may be necessary for some patients.