Changes in management of acute pancreatitis before and after the publication of evidence-based practice guidelines in 2003

Gut Microbiota and Antibiotic Treatments for the Main Non-Oncologic Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Disorders

The gut microbiota is a pivotal actor in the maintenance of the balance in the complex interconnections of hepato-biliary-pancreatic system. It has both metabolic and immunologic functions, with an influence on the homeostasis of the whole organism and on the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases, from non-neoplastic ones to tumorigenesis. The continuous bidirectional metabolic communication between gut and hepato-pancreatic district, through bile ducts and portal vein, leads to a continuous interaction with translocated bacteria and their products. Chronic liver disease and pancreatic disorders can lead to reduced intestinal motility, decreased bile acid synthesis and intestinal immune dysfunction, determining a compositional and functional imbalance in gut microbiota (dysbiosis), with potentially harmful consequences on the host's health. The modulation of the gut microbiota by antibiotics represents a pioneering challenge with striking future therapeutic opportunities, even in non-infectious diseases. In this setting, antibiotics are aimed at harmonizing gut microbial function and, sometimes, composition. A more targeted and specific approach should be the goal to pursue in the future, tailoring the treatment according to the type of microbiota modulation to be achieved and using combined strategies.

Global Incidence of Acute Pancreatitis Is Increasing Over Time: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Acute pancreatitis is a common disease with significant associated morbidity and mortality. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies to explore the changing temporal trends of acute pancreatitis incidence globally.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search to identify population-based studies reporting the annual incidence of acute pancreatitis. Abstracts were assessed independently to identify applicable articles for full-text review and data extraction. Joinpoint temporal trend analyses were performed to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The AAPCs were pooled in a meta-analysis to capture the overall and regional trends in acute pancreatitis incidence over time. Temporal data were summarized in a static map and an interactive, web-based map.

RESULTS

Forty-four studies reported the temporal incidence of acute pancreatitis (online interactive map: https://kaplan-acute-pancreatitis-ucalgary.hub.arcgis.com/). The incidence of acute pancreatitis has increased from 1961 to 2016 (AAPC, 3.07%; 95% CI, 2.30% to 3.84%; n = 34). Increasing incidence was observed in North America (AAPC, 3.67%; 95% CI, 2.76% to 4.57%; n = 4) and Europe (AAPC, 2.77%; 95% CI, 1.91% to 3.63%; n = 23). The incidence of acute pancreatitis was stable in Asia (AAPC, -0.28%; 95% CI, -5.03% to 4.47%; n = 4).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the global incidence of acute pancreatitis over the last 56 years and demonstrates a steadily rising incidence over time in most countries of the Western world. More studies are needed to better define the changing incidence of acute pancreatitis in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Status of use of protease inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: An epidemiologic analysis of the evidence-practice gap using a health insurance claims database

Existing evidence suggests that protease inhibitors (PIs) used to prevent or treat pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are ineffective, and their use is not recommended by clinical practice guidelines. However, in Japan, PIs are administered with the aim to prevent or treat post-ERCP pancreatitis. This study aimed to clarify the gap between guideline recommendations and contents of practice. We used the health insurance claims database of Japan Medical Data Center. Among patients who had undergone ERCP, those with acute pancreatitis or post-ERCP pancreatitis recorded in claims as disease names were defined as post-ERCP pancreatitis patients. The study period was divided into three terms according to the date of publication of clinical practice guidelines for acute pancreatitis. Among 2,945 patients who had undergone ERCP, 2,847 were eligible for analysis. Of these, 1,375 (48.3%) patients had claims with pancreatitis recorded as the disease name; PIs were prescribed to 1,238 (90.0%). Rates of prescription of PIs were 72.3% in 2005-07, 70.9% in 2008-09, and 83.6% in 2010-15, showing a significant increase (p < 0.001). In conclusion, PIs are administered in clinical practice in Japan for the purpose of preventing or treating pancreatitis, with an increasing trend in prescription in recent years.

Antibiotic therapy in acute pancreatitis: From global overuse to evidence based recommendations

BACKGROUND

Unwarranted administration of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis presents a global challenge. The clinical reasoning behind the misuse is poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate current clinical practices and develop recommendations that guide clinicians in prescribing antibiotic treatment in acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Four methods were used. 1) Systematic data collection was performed to summarize current evidence; 2) a retrospective questionnaire was developed to understand the current global clinical practice; 3) five years of prospectively collected data were analysed to identify the clinical parameters used by medical teams in the decision making process, and finally; 4) the UpToDate Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was applied to provide evidence based recommendations for healthcare professionals.

RESULTS

The systematic literature search revealed no consensus on the start of AB therapy in patients with no bacterial culture test. Retrospective data collection on 9728 patients from 22 countries indicated a wide range (31-82%) of antibiotic use frequency in AP. Analysis of 56 variables from 962 patients showed that clinicians initiate antibiotic therapy based on increased WBC and/or elevated CRP, lipase and amylase levels. The above mentioned four laboratory parameters showed no association with infection in the early phase of acute pancreatitis. Instead, procalcitonin levels proved to be a better biomarker of early infection. Patients with suspected infection because of fever had no benefit from antibiotic therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors formulated four consensus statements to urge reduction of unjustified antibiotic treatment in acute pancreatitis and to use procalcitonin rather than WBC or CRP as biomarkers to guide decision-making.

Mis-use of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis: Insights from the United Kingdom's National Confidential Enquiry into patient outcome and death (NCEPOD) survey of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

International guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis state that antibiotics should only be used to treat infectious complications. Antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended. The aim of this study was to analyse antibiotic use, and its appropriateness, from a national review of acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Data were collected from The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) study into the management of acute pancreatitis. Adult patients admitted to hospitals in England and Wales between January and June 2014 with a coded diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were included. Clinical and organisational questionnaires were used to collect data and these submissions subjected to peer review. Antibiotic use, including indication and duration were analysed.

RESULTS

439/712 (62%) patients received antibiotics, with 891 separate prescriptions and 23 clinical indications. A maximum of three courses of antibiotics were prescribed, with 41% (290/712) of patients receiving a second course and 24% (174/712) a third course. For the first antibiotic prescription, the most common indication was "unspecified" (85/439). The most common indication for the second course was sepsis (54/290), "unspecified" was the most common indication for the third course (50/174). In 72/374 (19.38%) the indication was deemed inappropriate by the clinicians and in 72/393 (18.3%) by case reviewers.

CONCLUSIONS

Inappropriate use of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis is common. Healthcare providers should ensure that antimicrobial policies are in place as part of an antimicrobial stewardship process. This should include specific guidance on their use and these policies must be accessible, adherence audited and frequently reviewed.

Value of the revised Atlanta classification (RAC) and determinant-based classification (DBC) systems in the evaluation of acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Since increasing acute pancreatitis (AP) severity is significantly associated with mortality, accurate and rapid determination of severity is crucial for effective clinical management. This study investigated the value of the revised Atlanta classification (RAC) and the determinant-based classification (DBC) systems in stratifying severity of acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

This retrospective observational cohort study included 480 AP patients. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were admission to intensive care unit (ICU), duration of ICU stay, and duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Based on the RAC classification, there were 295 patients with mild AP (MAP), 146 patients with moderate-to-severe AP (MSAP), and 39 patients with severe AP (SAP). Based on the DBC classification, there were 389 patients with MAP, 41 patients with MSAP, 32 patients with SAP, and 18 patients with critical AP (CAP). ROC curve analysis showed that the DBC system had a significantly higher accuracy at predicting organ failure compared to the RAC system (p < .001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age and ICU stay were independent risk factors of mortality.

CONCLUSION

The DBC system had a higher accuracy at predicting organ failure. Age and ICU stay were significantly associated with risk of death in AP patients. A classification of CAP by the DBC system should warrant close attention, and rapid implementation of effective measures to reduce mortality.

Time Trend of Outcomes for Severe Acute Pancreatitis After Publication of Japanese Guidelines Based on a National Administrative Database

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the recent time trend of outcomes for severe acute pancreatitis after publication of Japanese guidelines based on a national administrative database.

METHODS

A total of 10,400 patients with severe acute pancreatitis were referred to 1021 hospitals between 2010 and 2012 in Japan. We collected patients' data from the administrative database to compare in-hospital mortality (within 28 days and overall), length of stay (LOS), and medical costs during hospitalization. The study periods were categorized into 3 groups according to fiscal year: 2010 (n = 2698), 2011 (n = 3842), and 2012 (n = 3860).

RESULTS

In-hospital mortality within 28 days and overall in-hospital mortality were significantly decreased according to fiscal year (6.3% [2010] vs 5.7% [2011] vs 4.5% [2012], P = 0.005; 7.6% vs 7.1% vs 5.6%, P = 0.002, respectively). However, mean LOS and medical costs were not different between fiscal years (27.0 vs 27.1 vs 26.9 days, P = 0.218; 13,998.0 vs 14,156.4 vs 14,319.2 USD, P = 0.232, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that mortality of severe acute pancreatitis was reduced according to the time course, whereas LOS or medical costs were stable after publication of the Japanese guidelines.

Revised Japanese guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis 2015: revised concepts and updated points

BACKGROUND

Taking together the recent dramatic changes of the revised Atlanta classification and evidence newly obtained such as the role of step-up approach for necrotizing pancreatitis, the revision committee of the Japanese (JPN) Guidelines 2015 was prompted to perform an extensive revision of the guidelines.

METHODS

The JPN Guidelines 2015 was compared to the former edition 2010, and revision concepts and major revision points were reviewed. We compared the JPN 2015 with the other two guidelines, International Association of Pancreatology (IAP)/American Pancreas Association (APA) 2013 and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2013, in order to clarify the distinct points.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis team conducted a new meta-analysis of four subjects that have been associated with conflicting results. It is apparent that the revised guidelines have been created more systematically and more objectively. As of antibiotics prophylaxis, its use in early phase (within 72 h of onset) for severe acute pancreatitis is recommended in JPN 2015 according to the results of original meta-analysis, whereas the other two guidelines do not recommend its routine use. An approach and management of local complications in necrotizing pancreatitis including infected necrosis are almost similar in the three guidelines. JPN 2015 alone emphasizes the implementation of the pancreatitis bundles that specify the management and treatment within the first 48 h after the onset of severe acute pancreatitis.

CONCLUSION

The JPN Guidelines 2015 prove to be the highest quality in terms of systematic literature review conducting original analyses by the meta-analysis team, determining the grading of recommendations and providing pancreatitis bundles.

Clinical and therapeutic correlations in patients with slight acute pancreatitis

Background

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas due to enzymatic autodigestion which can cause necrosis or multiple organ failure; its pathophysiology is not fully known yet.

Aim

To evaluate the correlation between clinical and therapeutic data in patients with mild acute pancreatitis.

Methods

A retrospective study in 55 medical records of patients admitted with acute mild pancreatitis was realized to analyze the association between age, leukocytosis, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, antibiotics, time admission and Ranson´s scores.

Results

There was a positive association between less intensive care (strict hydration, analgesia and monitoring of vital signs), early antibiotic therapy (monotherapy), early return to diet after 48 hours and laboratory control of the serum amylase and lipase (high in the first week and decreasing after 10 days, without any prognostic value).

Conclusions

Changes in the management of patients with mild acute pancreatitis, such as enteral nutrition, rational use of lower spectrum antibiotics and intensive care, have contributed significantly to the reduction of hospitalization time and mortality.

Antibiotic use in acute pancreatitis: Global overview of compliance with international guidelines

INTRODUCTION

Practice guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis make recommendations in relation to antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment in acute pancreatitis. However, it is difficult to ascertain whether this information translates into clinical practice. The aim of this study is to obtain a global overview assessing reports from across the world of the use of antibiotic use in acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

A computerised literature search was performed from January 1992 to September 2015. Studies were either national physician surveys or national database reports on antibiotic prophylaxis in acute pancreatitis. Using these criteria, 10 studies were identified which comprise the final study population.

RESULTS

Eight studies report on the questionnaire responses of 2397 physicians. The range of response rate was 38-96%. A separate study reported on outcome of a national insurance database outcomes in 7193 patients. The lowest incidence of use of antibiotic prophylaxis was 41% and the highest 88%.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a unique global perspective on antibiotic use in acute pancreatitis and indicates that the use of antibiotics, both as prophylaxis and as treatment in this disease is widespread.

Japanese guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis: Japanese Guidelines 2015

BACKGROUND

Japanese (JPN) guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis were published in 2006. The severity assessment criteria for acute pancreatitis were later revised by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in 2008, leading to their publication as the JPN Guidelines 2010. Following the 2012 revision of the Atlanta Classifications of Acute Pancreatitis, in which the classifications of regional complications of pancreatitis were revised, the development of a minimally invasive method for local complications of pancreatitis spread, and emerging evidence was gathered and revised into the JPN Guidelines.

METHODS

A comprehensive evaluation was carried out on the evidence for epidemiology, diagnosis, severity, treatment, post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis and clinical indicators, based on the concepts of the GRADE system (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). With the graded recommendations, where the evidence was unclear, Meta-Analysis team for JPN Guidelines 2015 conducted an additional new meta-analysis, the results of which were included in the guidelines.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine questions were prepared in 17 subject areas, for which 43 recommendations were made. The 17 subject areas were: Diagnosis, Diagnostic imaging, Etiology, Severity assessment, Transfer indication, Fluid therapy, Nasogastric tube, Pain control, Antibiotics prophylaxis, Protease inhibitor, Nutritional support, Intensive care, management of Biliary Pancreatitis, management of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome, Interventions for the local complications, Post-ERCP pancreatitis and Clinical Indicator (Pancreatitis Bundles 2015). Meta-analysis was conducted in the following four subject areas based on randomized controlled trials: (1) prophylactic antibiotics use; (2) prophylactic pancreatic stent placement for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis; (3) prophylactic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis; and (4) peritoneal lavage. Using the results of the meta-analysis, recommendations were graded to create useful information. In addition, a mobile application was developed, which made it possible to diagnose, assess severity and check pancreatitis bundles.

CONCLUSIONS

The JPN Guidelines 2015 were prepared using the most up-to-date methods, and including the latest recommended medical treatments, and we are confident that this will make them easy for many clinicians to use, and will provide a useful tool in the decision-making process for the treatment of patients, and optimal medical support. The free mobile application and calculator for the JPN Guidelines 2015 is available via http://www.jshbps.jp/en/guideline/jpn-guideline2015.html.

[International multidisciplinary classification of acute pancreatitis severity: the 2013 Spanish edition]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a new classification of acute pancreatitis severity on the basis of a sound conceptual framework, comprehensive review of the published evidence, and worldwide consultation.

BACKGROUNDS

The Atlanta definitions of acute pancreatitis severity are ingrained in the lexicon of specialist in pancreatic diseases, but are suboptimal because these definitions are based on the empiric description of events not associated with severity.

METHODS

A personal invitation to contribute to the development of a new classification of acute pancreatitis severity was sent to all surgeons, gastroenterologists, internists, intensivists and radiologists currently active in the field of clinical acute pancreatitis. The invitation was not limited to members of certain associations or residents of certain countries. A global web-based survey was conducted, and a dedicated international symposium was organized to bring contributors from different disciplines together and discuss the concept and definitions.

RESULTS

The new classification of severity is based on the actual local and systemic determinants of severity, rather than on the description of events that are non-causally associated with severity. The local determinant relates to whether there is (peri) pancreatic necrosis or not, and if present, whether it is sterile or infected. The systemic determinant relates to whether there is organ failure or not, and if present, whether it is transient or persistent. The presence of one determinant can modify the effect of another, whereby the presence of both infected (peri) pancreatic necrosis and persistent organ failure has a greater impact upon severity than either determinant alone. The derivation of a classification based on the above principles results in four categories of severity: mild, moderate, severe, and critical.

CONCLUSIONS

This classification is the result of a consultative process among specialists in pancreatic diseases from 49 countries spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa. It provides a set of concise up to date definitions of all the main entities pertinent to classifying the severity of acute pancreatitis in clinical practice and research. This ensures that the determinant-based classification can be used in a uniform manner throughout the world.

Determinant-based classification of acute pancreatitis severity: an international multidisciplinary consultation

OBJECTIVE

To develop a new international classification of acute pancreatitis severity on the basis of a sound conceptual framework, comprehensive review of published evidence, and worldwide consultation.

BACKGROUND

The Atlanta definitions of acute pancreatitis severity are ingrained in the lexicon of pancreatologists but suboptimal because these definitions are based on empiric description of occurrences that are merely associated with severity.

METHODS

A personal invitation to contribute to the development of a new international classification of acute pancreatitis severity was sent to all surgeons, gastroenterologists, internists, intensivists, and radiologists who are currently active in clinical research on acute pancreatitis. The invitation was not limited to members of certain associations or residents of certain countries. A global Web-based survey was conducted and a dedicated international symposium was organized to bring contributors from different disciplines together and discuss the concept and definitions.

RESULT

The new international classification is based on the actual local and systemic determinants of severity, rather than description of events that are correlated with severity. The local determinant relates to whether there is (peri)pancreatic necrosis or not, and if present, whether it is sterile or infected. The systemic determinant relates to whether there is organ failure or not, and if present, whether it is transient or persistent. The presence of one determinant can modify the effect of another such that the presence of both infected (peri)pancreatic necrosis and persistent organ failure have a greater effect on severity than either determinant alone. The derivation of a classification based on the above principles results in 4 categories of severity-mild, moderate, severe, and critical.

CONCLUSIONS

This classification is the result of a consultative process amongst pancreatologists from 49 countries spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. It provides a set of concise up-to-date definitions of all the main entities pertinent to classifying the severity of acute pancreatitis in clinical practice and research. This ensures that the determinant-based classification can be used in a uniform manner throughout the world.

Early detection of low enhanced pancreatic parenchyma by contrast-enhanced computed tomography predicts poor prognosis of patients with acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The usefulness of early severity assessment of acute pancreatitis (AP) by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) was investigated.

METHODS

Data were obtained from a 2007 nationwide survey in Japan. Clinical data of 983 patients with AP were analyzed. All were examined by CECT on the day of admission.

RESULTS

Early findings of CECT demonstrated that low enhanced pancreatic parenchyma (LEPP) was associated with the incidence of organ failure (OF), multiple OF, and infectious complications as well as mortality (P < 0.0001). Next, patients were further divided into 4 groups according to the CECT findings, which focused on the LEPP and peripancreatic collections (PPCs). The LEPP/PPC (+/+) group was characterized as high morbidity and high mortality. The incidence of OF (28.2%), multiple OF (15.5%), and mortality (11.4%) in patients assigned to the (+/+) group was significantly higher than in those assigned to the other groups. The incidence of infectious complications was significantly higher in patients assigned to the (+/+) group (16.7%), the (+/-) group (9.0%), and the (-/+) group (7.0%) than those assigned to the (-/-) group (1.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of LEPP and PPC was a useful CECT finding for the early assessment of the severity of AP.

Laboratory diagnosis of acute pancreatitis: in search of the Holy Grail

Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas, which might extend to local and distant extrapancreatic tissues. The global incidence varies between 17.5 and 73.4 cases per 100,000 and the pathogenesis recognizes alcohol exposure and biliary tract disease as the leading causes, ahead of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, drugs and abdominal trauma. The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is substantially based on a combination of clinical signs and symptoms, imaging techniques and laboratory investigations. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is the reference standard for the diagnosis, as well as for establishing disease severity. The assessment of pancreatic enzymes, early released from necrotic tissue, is the cornerstone of laboratory diagnosis in this clinical setting. Although there is no single test that shows optimal diagnostic accuracy, most current guidelines and recommendations indicate that lipase should be preferred over total and pancreatic amylase. Although a definitive diagnostic threshold cannot be identified, cut-offs comprised between ≥ 2 and ≥ 4 times the upper limit of the reference interval are preferable. The combination of amylase and lipase has been discouraged as although it marginally improves the diagnostic efficiency of either marker alone, it increases the cost of investigation. Some interesting biomarkers have been also suggested (e.g., serum and urinary trypsinogen-1, -2 and -3, phospholipase A2, pancreatic elastase, procalcitonin, trypsinogen activated protein, activation peptide of carboxypeptidase B, trypsin-2-alpha1 antitrypsin complex and circulating DNA), but none of them has found widespread application for a variety of reasons, including the inferior diagnostic accuracy when compared with the traditional enzymes, the use of cumbersome techniques, or their recent discovery. The promising results of recent proteomics studies showed that this innovative technique might allow the identification of changes characterizing pancreatic tissue injury, thus highlighting new potential biomarkers of acute pancreatitis.

Survey of the management of acute pancreatitis in surgical departments in Sweden

OBJECTIVE

Several international guidelines concerning the treatment of acute pancreatitis has been published during the last decades. However, Scandinavian guidelines are still lacking. The aim of the present study is to identify current treatment strategies for acute pancreatitis in Sweden and to evaluate if there is a need for improvement and the role of guidelines.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A questionnaire was e-mailed to the surgical departments at all Swedish hospitals (n = 58) managing patients with acute pancreatitis. Comparisons were made both between university and non-university hospitals, and between hospitals with more versus less than 150,000 persons in the primary catchment population.

RESULTS

Fifty-one hospitals responded (88%). In median, 65 (12-200) patients with acute pancreatitis are treated yearly at each hospital. Of 51 hospitals, 18 perform a severity classification, with APACHE II being the most commonly used. A majority are of the opinion that a scoring system is not better than the judgment of a senior consultant. In severe acute pancreatitis, 29/48 routinely administer antibiotics, 29/48 use enteral nutrition, and 25/49 have a standardized follow-up plan. The majority considered administration of intravenous fluids as the most important treatment in severe acute pancreatitis. After mild gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis, the corresponding response was cholecystectomy, especially at larger hospitals (p = 0.002). Of 47, 42 are interested in developing a Scandinavian quality register.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this first Swedish national survey provide an insight into current traditions of treatment of acute pancreatitis and points, for example, at the lack of early severity stratification. A majority of hospitals are interested in developing a quality register in acute pancreatitis.

Do guidelines influence medical practice? Changes in management of acute pancreatitis 7 years after the publication of the French guidelines

OBJECTIVES

The elaboration and publication of guidelines should help homogenizing the management of frequent diseases with high mortality and morbidity rates, such as acute pancreatitis.

AIM

To evaluate the implementation of French guidelines on the management of acute pancreatitis (AP), and to correlate changes with a received medical training course.

METHODS

In 2001 (before the Consensus Conference) and 2008, the same questionnaire dealing with recommendations for AP management was sent to the French gastroenterology Units. Responses in 2001 and 2008 were compared.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-six questionnaires were analyzed (public hospitals: 62%, academic hospitals: 20%, private institutions: 18%). In 2008 (vs. 2001), lipase levels were measured for establishing AP diagnosis by 99% (vs. 83%). To evaluate AP severity, a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed at 48 h by 69% (vs. 29%, P ≤ 0.001). The most used severity index was the CT Balthazar score 76% (vs. 55%, P ≤ 0.001). Antibiotic prophylaxis and artificial nutrition by enteral route were proposed by 20% (vs. 57%) and 58% (vs. 25%) for necrotizing pancreatitis. Practices were more frequently in agreement with the guidelines in public nonacademic and academic hospitals. Training course on AP management was associated with a more appropriate use of CT scan for the evaluation of AP severity and of antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

Major changes were noticed since the publication of the French guidelines. Although establishing guidelines is an expensive process, it does increase compliance with best evidence-based practice.

Fundamental and intensive care of acute pancreatitis

Patients who have been diagnosed as having acute pancreatitis should be, on principle, hospitalized. Crucial fundamental management is required soon after a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis has been made and includes monitoring of the conscious state, the respiratory and cardiovascular system, the urinary output, adequate fluid replacement and pain control. Along with such management, etiologic diagnosis and severity assessment should be conducted. Patients with a diagnosis of severe acute pancreatitis should be transferred to a medical facility where intensive respiratory and cardiovascular management as well as interventional treatment, blood purification therapy and nutritional support are available. The disease condition in acute pancreatitis changes every moment and even symptoms that are mild at the time of diagnosis may become severe later. Therefore, severity assessment should be conducted repeatedly at least within 48 h following diagnosis. An adequate dose of fluid replacement is essential to stabilize cardiovascular dynamics and the dose should be adjusted while assessing circulatory dynamics constantly. A large dose of fluid replacement is usually required in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Prophylactic antibiotic administration is recommended to prevent infectious complications in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Although the efficacy of intravenous administration of protease inhibitors is still a matter of controversy, there is a consensus in Japan that a large dose of a synthetic protease inhibitor should be given to patients with severe acute pancreatitis in order to prevent organ failure and other complications. Enteral feeding is superior to parenteral nutrition when it comes to the nutritional support of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. The JPN Guidelines recommend, as optional continuous regional arterial infusion and blood purification therapy.