COVID-19 and acute biliary pancreatitis: comparative analysis between the normal period and COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The development of acute pancreatitis is multifactorial requiring predisposition and relevant injury.Viral acute pancreatitis has been described in other viral infections.However, pancreatic involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infection is still poorly defined.The present comparative study reports the patients with acute pancreatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic and last year covering the same period to appraise the link between COVID-19 and acute biliary pancreatitis.

METHODS: The retrospective observational study was conducted in acute biliary pancreatitis patients from 13.03.19to13.09.19 and from 13.03.20to13.09.20 respectively.

RESULTS: The study included 181patients(105patients in 2019;76 patients in 2020(during COVID-19 pandemic)).The patients were named as Group A(Normal period)and GroupB(Pandemic period),respectively.The groups were found to be comparable as there was no significant dierence between the mean age, sex, comorbidities, cholecystectomized, and recurrency.There is no significant dierence in the laboratory and radiological findings of GroupA and GroupB.

However, there is a significant dierence between the COVID-19 positive and negative patients in GroupB in terms of Glucose levels(p=0,025)and the presence of edema or necrosis in radiological images(p=0,046).There is a significant difference between the patients’ number with abdominal pain of acute biliary pancreatitis in 2019and2020.(p=0)The length of stay was statistically significant in COVID-19 positive patients.(p= 0,013)

CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians involved in the management of acute pancreatitis should be aware of its existence in the context of COVID-19.Understanding of the disease process and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is still developing.Awareness of these issues and addressing them adequately will be crucial for the management.