Olesen SS, Harakow A, Krogh K, Drewes AM, Handberg A, Christensen PA. Hypertriglyceridemia is often under recognized as an aetiologic risk factor for acute pancreatitis: A population-based cohort study.
Pancreatology 2021;
21:334-341. [PMID:
33608229 DOI:
10.1016/j.pan.2021.02.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a well-known risk factor for acute pancreatitis, but updated population-based estimates on incidence of HTG-associated pancreatitis are lacking.
METHODS
We identified all individuals with severe HTG (triglyceride level >10 mmol/L [886 mg/dL]) in a population-based sample from 2008 to 2019 and linked these with Danish nationwide health-registers to identify patients with acute pancreatitis. Pancreatitis cases were subsequently confirmed by a detailed medical chart review. Crude and standardized incidence rates were estimated and studied in relation to age, gender and time-period. In addition, aetiological classification designated during index hospitalization, severity and follow-up of individuals with HTG-associated pancreatitis were studied.
RESULTS
Among 2146 individuals with severe HTG during the observation period, 75 were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (3.5%). The mean incidence rate of HTG-associated pancreatitis was 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1-1.7) per 100,000 person years for the total population, for women it was 0.7 (95% CI, 0.5-1.1) and for men 2.0 (95% CI, 1.5-2.6) per 100,000 person-years. The mean incidence rate increased from 0.7 to 1.7 per 100,000 person-years from 2008 to 2019 (ptrend = 0.01). The highest incidence rate of HTG-associated pancreatitis was observed for men in the age group 50-59 years. An elevated triglyceride level was recognized as aetiological risk factor in 35% of patients during index hospitalization.
CONCLUSIONS
Only a fraction of patients with severe HTG are hospitalized for acute pancreatitis, but the incidence is increasing. In more than half of patients elevated triglycerides is not recognized as a risk factor for acute pancreatitis during index hospitalization.
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