The Use of International Classification of Diseases Codes to Identify Patients with Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies

Decreased Life Expectancy in Patients with Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Population-based data on the life expectancy and mortality for acute (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) in the United States are limited. This study evaluates the life expectancy, mortality rates and the cause of death in AP and CP patients.

METHODS

Using the nationwide Veterans Administration database from 1999 to 2015, we identified AP and CP patients (using ICD-9 codes) and non-pancreatitis patients (controls). Age at the time of death was used as a surrogate indicator of life expectancy. Life expectancy in AP and CP patients was compared with the controls, using Cox-proportional hazards model. The mortality rates and cause of death for AP, CP, and controls were also assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, we selected 35,550 AP and 12,545 CP patients and 100,000 controls. The life expectancy was significantly lower for both AP (69 years) and CP (71 years) patients compared to the controls (81 years, p < 0.001). The risk of mortality was higher for AP (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.61, 95% CI 1.58-1.65, p < 0.001) and CP (aHR 1.64, 95% CI 1.59-1.68, p < 0.001) than in controls. Approximately forty-two percent of all patients died during the follow-up (AP-44.3%, CP-52.1% and controls-39.7%). Circulatory disorders, neoplasms, and respiratory disorders were the leading causes of death in AP and CP patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute and chronic pancreatitis are associated with decreased life span and higher mortality emphasizing their clinical importance. Although the deaths due to gastrointestinal/digestive system disorders were significantly higher, most of the deaths in AP and CP patients were primarily due to non-gastrointestinal causes.

Epidemiology of post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus: insights from the COSMOS program

INTRODUCTION

Post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM) has long been recognized as one of the most challenging sub-types of diabetes to manage. Part of the problem is that the earlier literature on epidemiology of PPDM was confusing because of the presence of selection bias.

AREAS COVERED

A concerted series of population-based nationwide studies on PPDM from New Zealand has recently been published as part of the COSMOS (Clinical and epidemiOlogical inveStigations in Metabolism, nutritiOn, and pancreatic diseaseS) program and is the main focus of the present article.

EXPERT OPINION

The foundational knowledge on epidemiology of PPDM generated by the COSMOS program is generalizable to the population at large. It brings the field closer to a comprehensive narrative of risk factors, burden, mortality, and morbidity outcomes of PPDM. In producing new knowledge on epidemiology of PPDM, it will be important to adhere to the guidelines on identification of PPDM in population-based datasets advanced in the present article.

Peri-onset non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use and organ failure in acute pancreatitis: A multicenter retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Organ failure (OF) of acute pancreatitis (AP) significantly contributes to AP-related mortality. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been associated with reduced complications of AP.

AIMS

We aimed to investigate whether NSAIDs ameliorates SIRS and OF in patients with AP.

METHODS

Eligible patients with AP were retrospectively identified in 4 hospitals between January 2015 and December 2018. Associations between peri-onset NSAIDs use (day -3 to day 3) and OF, persistent OF (POF), and SIRS within the first week were analyzed. Propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis and inverse probability of treatment-weighted (IPTW) analysis were used to estimate risk ratios.

RESULTS

Among 1,528 patients with AP (97 [6.3%] with NSAIDs use), 242 (15.8%) developed organ failure, 89 (5.8%) progressed to POF, and 27 (1.8%) died within 3 months. PSM analysis showed no association between peri-onset NSAIDs and OF (risk ratio [RR], 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46 to 2.15) and POF (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.21 to 2.98). IPTW analysis yielded similar results. Patients with and without peri-onset NSAIDs use were comparable with respect to OF, POF, and SIRS across subgroups defined by COX-2 selectivity and dose.

CONCLUSION

Peri-onset NSAIDs use was not significantly associated with reduced OF.

Identification of pancreatic cancer risk factors from clinical notes using natural language processing

OBJECTIVES

Screening for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered in high-risk individuals (HRIs) with established PDAC risk factors, such as family history and germline mutations in PDAC susceptibility genes. Accurate assessment of risk factor status is provider knowledge-dependent and requires extensive manual chart review by experts. Natural Language Processing (NLP) has shown promise in automated data extraction from the electronic health record (EHR). We aimed to use NLP for automated extraction of PDAC risk factors from unstructured clinical notes in the EHR.

METHODS

We first developed rule-based NLP algorithms to extract PDAC risk factors at the document-level, using an annotated corpus of 2091 clinical notes. Next, we further improved the NLP algorithms using a cohort of 1138 patients through patient-level training, validation, and testing, with comparison against a pre-specified reference standard. To minimize false-negative results we prioritized algorithm recall.

RESULTS

In the test set (n = 807), the NLP algorithms achieved a recall of 0.933, precision of 0.790, and F1-score of 0.856 for family history of PDAC. For germline genetic mutations, the algorithm had a high recall of 0.851, while precision and F1-score were lower at 0.350 and 0.496 respectively. Most false positives for germline mutations resulted from erroneous recognition of tissue mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

Rule-based NLP algorithms applied to unstructured clinical notes are highly sensitive for automated identification of PDAC risk factors. Further validation in a large primary-care patient population is warranted to assess real-world utility in identifying HRIs for pancreatic cancer screening.

Positive Predictive Value of Cirrhosis and Chronic Pancreatitis Diagnoses in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder: A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND

Although accuracy of diagnosis codes for cirrhosis and chronic pancreatitis (CP) has been evaluated in multiple studies, none have focused on patients with alcohol use disorders (AUD). We evaluated the positive predictive value (PPV) for a verified diagnosis of cirrhosis and CP in AUD patients treated at a tertiary care center.

METHODS

We performed a detailed review of electronic health records for AUD patients assigned ICD-9 or 10 codes for alcoholic cirrhosis (ALC) (n = 199), CP (n = 200), or both (n = 200). We calculated PPV for a verified diagnosis of cirrhosis and CP and performed multivariable regression analysis to assess the impact of relevant factors on PPV for a verified diagnosis.

RESULTS

PPV of cirrhosis was 81.2% (95% CI 77.0 to 84.9%) which increased to 87.5% (95% CI 83.8 to 90.6%) if the definition was relaxed to include alcohol-related hepatitis. PPV of CP was 54.5% (95% CI 49.5 to 59.5%) which increased to 78% (95% CI 73.6 to 82.0%) when recurrent acute pancreatitis was included in the definition. In multivariable analyses, the odds of a verified diagnosis were significantly higher in individuals aged 65+ years for both cirrhosis (OR 12.23, 95% CI 2.19 to 68.42) and CP (OR 8.84, 95% CI 2.7 to 28.93) and in ever smokers for CP (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.65).

CONCLUSION

PPV for diagnosis codes in AUD patients is high for a verified diagnosis of cirrhosis but only modest for CP. While administrative datasets can provide reliable information for cirrhosis, future studies should focus on ways to boost the diagnostic validity of administrative datasets for CP.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Chronic Dizziness in the Elderly Identifies Loci Implicating MLLT10, BPTF, LINC01224, and ROS1

PURPOSE

Chronic age-related imbalance is a common cause of falls and subsequent death in the elderly and can arise from dysfunction of the vestibular system, an elegant neuroanatomical group of pathways that mediates human perception of acceleration, gravity, and angular head motion. Studies indicate that 27-46% of the risk of age-related chronic imbalance is genetic; nevertheless, the underlying genes remain unknown.

METHODS

The cohort consisted of 50,339 cases and 366,900 controls in the Million Veteran Program. The phenotype comprised cases with two ICD diagnoses of vertigo or dizziness at least 6 months apart, excluding acute or recurrent vertiginous syndromes and other non-vestibular disorders. Genome-wide association studies were performed as individual logistic regressions on European, African American, and Hispanic ancestries followed by trans-ancestry meta-analysis. Downstream analysis included case-case-GWAS, fine mapping, probabilistic colocalization of significant variants and genes with eQTLs, and functional analysis of significant hits.

RESULTS

Two significant loci were identified in Europeans, another in the Hispanic population, and two additional in trans-ancestry meta-analysis, including three novel loci. Fine mapping revealed credible sets of intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MLLT10 - a histone methyl transferase cofactor, BPTF - a subunit of a nucleosome remodeling complex implicated in neurodevelopment, and LINC01224 - a proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase.

CONCLUSION

Despite the difficulties of phenotyping the nature of chronic imbalance, we replicated two loci from previous vertigo GWAS studies and identified three novel loci. Findings suggest candidates for further study and ultimate treatment of this common elderly disorder.

Metabolic Sequelae: The Pancreatitis Zeitgeist of the 21st Century

Holistic management of pancreatitis means that gastroenterologists in the 21st Century should think beyond improving in-hospital outcomes of pancreatitis alone. In particular, there is considerable room for optimizing the management of new-onset diabetes, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and other metabolic sequelae of pancreatitis. The present article provides state-of-the-art information on classification, terminology, and burden of the common sequelae of pancreatitis. A high-risk group of patients with pancreatitis is identified, which is positioned to benefit the most from the metabolic sequelae surveillance program introduced in this article. The program involves continuous follow-up after pancreatitis diagnosis, with the focus on early identification of new-onset diabetes after pancreatitis and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The metabolic sequelae surveillance program is scalable and has the potential to reduce the burden of pancreatitis through tertiary prevention in the decades to come.

Impact of comorbidities on hospital mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis: a population-based study of 110,021 patients

BACKGROUND

The impact of pre-existing comorbidities on acute pancreatitis (AP) mortality is not clearly defined. Our study aims to determine the trend in AP hospital mortality and the role of comorbidities as a predictor of hospital mortality.

METHODS

We analyzed patients aged ≥ 18 years hospitalized with AP diagnosis between 2016 and 2019. The data have been extracted from the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database of the Spanish Ministry of Health. We performed a univariate and multivariable analysis of the association of age, sex, and comorbidities with hospital mortality in patients with AP. The role of the Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidity indices as predictors of mortality was evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 110,021 patients diagnosed with AP were hospitalized during the analyzed period. Hospital mortality was 3.8%, with a progressive decrease observed in the years evaluated. In multivariable analysis, age ≥ 65 years (OR: 4.11, p < 0.001), heart disease (OR: 1.73, p < 0.001), renal disease (OR: 1.99, p < 0.001), moderate-severe liver disease (OR: 2.86, p < 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (OR: 1.43, p < 0.001), and cerebrovascular disease (OR: 1.63, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for mortality. The Charlson > 1.5 (OR: 2.03, p < 0.001) and Elixhauser > 1.5 (OR: 2.71, p < 0.001) comorbidity indices were also independently associated with mortality, and ROC curve analysis showed that they are useful for predicting hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced age, heart disease, renal disease, moderate-severe liver disease, peripheral vascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease before admission were independently associated with hospital mortality. The Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidity indices are useful for predicting hospital mortality in AP patients.

Pancreatitis and the Risk of Developing Gastric Neuromuscular Dysfunction

INTRODUCTION

Most gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia cases (collectively, gastric neuromuscular dysfunction [GND]) remain idiopathic. It is believed that some idiopathic cases of GND may be triggered by an inflammatory insult to the gastrointestinal tract. We theorized that the profound foregut inflammation induced by pancreatitis could result in increased risk of GND.

METHODS

This was a case-control study of all patients undergoing gastric emptying scintigraphy between October 2017 and 2020 in an urban medical center with presumed GND. These were age-, sex-, and comparative health-matched to control patients with newly diagnosed microscopic colitis. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among the 650 patients with GND, 359 had gastroparesis, and 9.2% had a history of acute pancreatitis (vs 3.1% of controls). Patients with GND demonstrated increased odds of having a history of acute pancreatitis (aOR 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-4.03, P = 0.004) and recurrent pancreatitis (aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.67-3.48, P = 0.002). Median time to GND diagnosis after first acute pancreatitis episode was 1,544 days (477.5, 3,832). Patients with a history of pancreatitis-associated GND had increased mortality vs controls (aOR 3.41, 95% CI 0.96-5.48). In addition, patients with pancreatitis-associated GND had more hospitalizations vs GND alone (13.8 vs 3.7, P < 0.0001) during the study period.

DISCUSSION

This is the first study demonstrating an independent association between pancreatitis and the risk of GND, which occurred ∼4.2 years after the first episode of acute pancreatitis. Pancreatitis should therefore be regarded as a possible risk factor for developing GND with important consequences for healthcare utilization.

Incidence and risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis: defining the optimal subgroup for surveillance

We aimed to present the incidence and risk factors for pancreatic cancer in a multicenter retrospective cohort of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Patients with ICD-10 codes for CP (K86.0, K86.1) who underwent abdominal CT or MRI between January 2010 and December 2021 in seven academic hospitals were analyzed. After exclusions, we identified 727 patients with definite CP with a median follow-up of 3.6 years (range 1.0‒12.9). During 3290 person-years of observation, pancreatic cancers were diagnosed in 16 patients (2.20%, 0.49% per year) after a median follow-up of 2.4 years (range 1.4‒6.6), with an age- and sex-standardized incidence ratio of 18.1 (95% CI 10.4‒29.5). The underlying CPs in the 16 pancreatic cancers were classified as chronic obstructive pancreatitis (10, 63%), chronic obstructive and calcifying pancreatitis (4, 25%), chronic calcifying pancreatitis (1, 6%), and autoimmune pancreatitis (1, 6%). Factors associated with pancreatic cancer development included age (HR 4.830, p = 0.006), parenchymal calcification (HR 0.213, p = 0.003), pancreatic duct stricture (HR 2.706, p = 0.048), and serum CA 19‒9 level (HR 3.567, p = 0.014). After adjustment, age over 60 years (HR 4.540, p = 0.009) and serum CA 19‒9 levels greater than 100 U/mL (HR 3.528, p = 0.015) were independent risk factors for pancreatic cancer.

Validation of Acute Pancreatitis Among Adults in an Integrated Healthcare System

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis is a serious gastrointestinal disease that is an important target for drug safety surveillance. Little is known about the accuracy of ICD-10 codes for acute pancreatitis in the United States, or their performance in specific clinical settings. We conducted a validation study to assess the accuracy of acute pancreatitis ICD-10 diagnosis codes in inpatient, emergency department (ED), and outpatient settings.

METHODS

We reviewed electronic medical records for encounters with acute pancreatitis diagnosis codes in an integrated healthcare system from October 2015 to December 2019. Trained abstractors and physician adjudicators determined whether events met criteria for acute pancreatitis.

RESULTS

Out of 1,844 eligible events, we randomly sampled 300 for review. Across all clinical settings, 182 events met validation criteria for an overall positive predictive value (PPV) of 61% (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 55, 66). The PPV was 87% (95% CI = 79, 92%) for inpatient codes, but only 45% for ED (95% CI = 35, 54%) and outpatient (95% CI = 34, 55%) codes. ED and outpatient encounters accounted for 43% of validated events. Acute pancreatitis codes from any encounter type with lipase >3 times the upper limit of normal had a PPV of 92% (95% CI = 86, 95%) and identified 85% of validated events (95% CI = 79, 89%), while codes with lipase <3 times the upper limit of normal had a PPV of only 22% (95% CI = 16, 30%).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ICD-10 codes accurately identified acute pancreatitis in the inpatient setting, but not in the ED and outpatient settings. Laboratory data substantially improved algorithm performance.

New-onset diabetes secondary to acute pancreatitis: An update

Diabetes is a condition of persistent hyperglycemia caused by the endocrine disorder of the pancreas. Therefore, all pancreatic diseases have the risk of diabetes. In particular, increasing attention has been paid recently to new-onset diabetes secondary to acute pancreatitis (AP). The complications of secondary diabetes have caused a lot of trouble for patients and have garnered increasing attention. At present, the pathophysiological mechanism of new-onset diabetes caused by AP is not clear. This review summarizes the current understanding of new-onset diabetes secondary to AP.

Intra-pancreatic fat deposition: bringing hidden fat to the fore

Development of advanced modalities for detection of fat within the pancreas has transformed understanding of the role of intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) in health and disease. There is now strong evidence for the presence of minimal (but not negligible) IPFD in healthy human pancreas. Diffuse excess IPFD, or fatty pancreas disease (FPD), is more frequent than type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (the most common disease of the endocrine pancreas) and acute pancreatitis (the most common disease of the exocrine pancreas) combined. FPD is not strictly a function of high BMI; it can result from the excess deposition of fat in the islets of Langerhans, acinar cells, inter-lobular stroma, acinar-to-adipocyte trans-differentiation or replacement of apoptotic acinar cells. This process leads to a wide array of diseases characterized by excess IPFD, including but not limited to acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, T2DM, diabetes of the exocrine pancreas. There is ample evidence for FPD being potentially reversible. Weight loss-induced decrease of intra-pancreatic fat is tightly associated with remission of T2DM and its re-deposition with recurrence of the disease. Reversing FPD will open up opportunities for preventing or intercepting progression of major diseases of the exocrine pancreas in the future.

Incidence and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in Patients with a New Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); nevertheless, the true incidence of PDAC in CP patients in the United States remains unclear.

AIMS

We evaluated the risk of developing PDAC two or more years after a new diagnosis of CP.

METHODS

Retrospective study of veterans from September 1999 to October 2015. A three-year washout period was applied to exclude patients with preexisting CP and PDAC. PDAC risk was evaluated in patients with new-diagnosis CP and compared with controls without CP using Cox-proportional hazards model. CP, PDAC, and other covariates were extracted using ICD-9 codes.

RESULTS

After exclusions, we identified 7,883,893 patients [new-diagnosis CP - 21,765 (0.28%)]. PDAC was diagnosed in 226 (1.04%) patients in the CP group and 15,858 (0.20%) patients in the control group (p < 0.001). CP patients had a significantly higher PDAC risk compared to controls > 2 years [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 4.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.74-4.89, p < 0.001], 5 years (adjusted HR 3.32, 95% CI 2.75-4.00, p < 0.001) and 10 years of follow-up (adjusted HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.99-4.93, p < 0.001), respectively. By multivariable analysis, age (odds ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.03, p = 0.03), current smoker (odds ratio 1.67, 95% CI 1.02-2.74, p = 0.042), current smoker + alcoholic (odds ratio 2.29, 95% CI 1.41-3.52, p < 0.001), and diabetes (odds ratio 1.51, 95% CI 1.14-1.99, p = 0.004) were the independent risk factors for PDAC.

CONCLUSION

Our data show that after controlling for etiology of CP and other cofactors, the risk of PDAC increased in CP patients after two years of follow-up, and risk was consistent and sustained beyond 5 years and 10 years of follow-up.

Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis Disease Prevalence, Classification, and Comorbidities: A Cohort Study of the UK BioBank

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatitis is a complex syndrome that results from many etiologies. Large well-characterized cohorts are needed to further understand disease risk and prognosis.

METHODS

A pancreatitis cohort of more than 4,200 patients and 24,000 controls were identified in the UK BioBank (UKBB) consortium. A descriptive analysis was completed, comparing patients with acute (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). The Toxic-metabolic, Idiopathic, Genetic, Autoimmune, Recurrent, and severe pancreatitis and Obstructive checklist Version 2 classification was applied to patients with AP and CP and compared with the control population.

RESULTS

CP prevalence in the UKBB is 163 per 100,000. AP incidence increased from 21.4/100,000 per year from 2001 to 2005 to 48.2/100,000 per year between 2016 and 2020. Gallstones and smoking were confirmed as key risk factors for AP and CP, respectively. Both populations carry multiple risk factors and a high burden of comorbidities, including benign and malignant neoplastic disorders.

DISCUSSION

The UKBB serves as a rich cohort to evaluate pancreatitis. Disease burden of AP and CP was high in this population. The association of common risk factors identified in other cohort studies was confirmed in this study. Further analysis is needed to link genomic risks and biomarkers with disease features in this population.

Pancreatitis, Pancreatic Cancer, and Their Metabolic Sequelae: Projected Burden to 2050

INTRODUCTION

Future burden has been modeled from population-based data for several common gastrointestinal diseases. However, as we enter the third decade in the 21st century, there are no such data on diseases of the pancreas holistically. The study aimed to estimate future incidence of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, diabetes of the exocrine pancreas (DEP), and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction (EPD) as well as years of life lost (YLL) due to premature death in individuals with those diseases up to 2050.

METHODS

Historical New Zealand nationwide data on hospital discharge, pharmaceutical dispensing, cancer, and mortality were obtained. Annual incidence of each disease and annual YLLs due to premature death in individuals with each disease were calculated. A time series analysis using the stepwise autoregressive method was conducted.

RESULTS

Pancreatitis yielded the highest projected incidence (123.7 per 100,000; 95% confidence interval, 116.7-130.7) and YLL (14,709 years; 13,642-15,777) in 2050. The projected incidence and YLL of pancreatic cancer were 18.6 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval, 13.1-24.1) and 14,247 years (11,349-17,144) in 2050, respectively. Compared with pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, DEP and EPD yielded lower but more steeply increasing projected incidence rates and YLLs.

DISCUSSION

The findings suggest that the burden of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, DEP, and EPD will rise in the next 3 decades unless healthcare systems introduce effective prevention or early treatment strategies for diseases of the pancreas and their sequelae.

The influence of cholecystectomy and recurrent biliary events on the risk of post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus: a nationwide cohort study in patients with first attack of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether cholecystectomy for acute pancreatitis (AP) affects the risk of post-pancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM). We aimed to investigate the associations between cholecystectomy, recurrent biliary events prior to cholecystectomy, and the risk of PPDM in patients with AP.

METHODS

Using New Zealand nationwide data from 2007 to 2016, patients with first admission for AP were identified (n = 10,870). Cholecystectomy was considered as a time-dependent exposure. Timing of cholecystectomy was categorized as same-admission, readmission, and delayed cholecystectomy. Recurrent biliary events prior to cholecystectomy were identified. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Among 2147 patients who underwent cholecystectomy, 141 (6.6%) developed PPDM. Overall, cholecystectomy was not significantly associated with the risk of PPDM (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.38). Delayed cholecystectomy was significantly associated with an increased risk of PPDM (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.83). Patients who had 2 or ≥3 recurrent biliary events prior to cholecystectomy were at a significantly increased risk of PPDM.

CONCLUSION

Cholecystectomy in general was not associated with the risk of PPDM in patients with AP. Two or more repeated attacks of AP (or other biliary events) were associated with a significantly increased risk of PPDM.

Identification of Individuals at Increased Risk for Pancreatic Cancer in a Community-Based Cohort of Patients With Suspected Chronic Pancreatitis

We lack reliable methods for identifying patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) at increased risk for pancreatic cancer. We aimed to identify radiographic parameters associated with pancreatic cancer in this population.

Trends and seasonality in hospitalizations for acute alcohol-related and biliary pancreatitis in the USA

BACKGROUND

The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by circannual and geographical variation. The aim of this study was to describe seasonal variation and trends in hospitalizations for AP in the USA with respect to AP etiology.

METHODS

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample data (2000-2016) from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project were used. The study population included all primary hospitalizations for AP. Biliary AP (BAP) and alcohol-induced AP (AAP) were distinguished by diagnostic and procedural ICD codes. Seasonal trend decomposition was performed.

RESULTS

There was a linear increase in annual incidence (per 100 000 population) of AAP in the USA (from 17.0 in 2000 to 22.9 in 2016), while incidence of BAP, equaled 19.9 in 2000, peaked at 22.1 in 2006 and decreased to 17.4 in 2016. AP incidence demonstrated 18% annual incidence amplitude with summer peak and winter trough, more prominent in AAP. In 2016, within AAP, the highest incidence (per 100 000 population) was noted among African-Americans (up to 50.4), followed by males aged 56-70 years (26.5) and Asians of low income (25.5); within BAP, above the average incidence was observed in Hispanic (up to 25.8) and Asian (up to 25.0) population. The most consistent and rapid increase in AP incidence was noted in males aged 56-70 years with an alcoholic etiology (average 6% annual incidence growth).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence and annual trends of AP vary significantly among demographic and socioeconomic groups and this knowledge may be useful for the planning of healthcare resources and identification of at-risk populations.

Acute biliary pancreatitis has better outcomes but increased resource utilization compared to acute alcohol-induced pancreatitis: insights from a nationwide study

Background

The differences in outcomes between acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) and acute alcohol-induced pancreatitis (AAP) have not been well studied. We sought to examine the differences between ABP and AAP as regards to in-hospital outcomes and resource utilization, using a large nationwide database.

Methods

We queried the National Inpatient Sample databases 2016 and 2017 using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) coding system to identify the patients with a primary diagnosis of AAP and ABP. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS), hospitalization charge/cost, shock, acute kidney injury (AKI), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and home discharge. Analysis was performed with STATA software.

Results

There was no significant difference in mortality between patients with AAP and ABP (0.42% vs. 0.82%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69-1.31; P=0.79). Patients with ABP had a significantly longer LOS (+0.48 days, P<0.001). Patients with ABP had significantly higher adjusted mean hospitalization charges ($+19,958, P<0.001) and costs ($+4,848, P<0.001). Patients with ABP had a significantly lower likelihood of shock (aOR 0.75, 95%CI 0.59-0.95; P=0.02), AKI (aOR 0.76, 95%CI 0.71-0.82; P<0.001) or ICU admission (aOR 0.74, 95%CI 0.62-0.88; P=0.001). They were more likely to be discharged home (aOR 1.26, 95%CI 1.18-1.34; P<0.001).

Conclusion

Although there was no difference in all-cause mortality, patients with ABP had better hospitalization outcomes but greater resource utilization.

Time trends in incidence and prevalence of chronic pancreatitis: A 25-year population-based nationwide study

BACKGROUND

Updated population-based estimates on incidence and prevalence of chronic pancreatitis are scarce.

METHODS

We used nationwide healthcare registries to identify all Danish patients diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and computed crude and standardised incidence rates and prevalence estimates in 1994-2018. Incidence and prevalence were evaluated in relation to patients age and gender, aetiology (alcoholic vs. non-alcoholic) and smoking and alcohol consumption in the general Danish population.

RESULTS

The mean incidence rate of chronic pancreatitis during the study period was 12.6 per 100,000 person years for the total population, for women it was 8.6 per 100,000 person years and for men it was 16.7 per 100,000 person years. The standardised incidence rate was stable from 1994 to 2018, remaining at 12.5 per 100,000 person years in the last observation period (2014-2018). The point prevalence of chronic pancreatitis in 2016 was 153.9 per 100,000 persons. A gradual increase in standardised prevalence estimates was observed during the study period from 126.6 in 1996 to 153.9 in 2016. The mean age at chronic pancreatitis diagnosis increased from 52.1 to 60.0 years during the study period.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of chronic pancreatitis is increasing in the Danish population despite a stable incidence level. Improved management strategies and changes in the underlying patient population may explain these observations.

Chronic Pancreatitis Patients Who Leave Against Medical Advice: Prevalence, Trend, and Predictors

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Leaving against medical advice (LAMA) is an unfortunate occurrence in 1-2% of all hospitalized patients and is associated with worse outcomes. While this has been investigated across multiple clinical conditions, studies on patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) are lacking. We aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of this event among patients with CP.

METHODS

The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2007-2014, was used in the study. Patients with LAMA were identified, and the temporal trend of LAMA was estimated and compared among patients with and without CP. We then extracted patients with a discharge diagnosis of CP from the recent years of HCUP-NIS (2012-2014) and described the characteristics of LAMA in these patients. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate predictors of LAMA.

RESULTS

3.39% of patients with CP discharged against medical advice. LAMA rate in CP patients was higher and increased more steeply at quadruple the rate of those without. More likely to self-discharge were patients who were young, males, non-privately insured, or engaged in alcohol and substance abuse, likewise were those with psychosis and those admitted on a weekend or non-electively. The northeast and for-profit hospitals also had higher odds of LAMA. However, patients transferred from other healthcare facilities have reduced LAMA odds. Among all patients with CP, those with LAMA had shorter length of stay (2.74 [2.62-2.85] days vs. 5.78 [5.71-5.83] days) and lower hospitalization cost $23,271 [$22,171-$24,370] versus $45,472 [$44,381-$46,562] compared to the no-LAMA group.

CONCLUSION

LAMA occurs in approximately 1 in 29 patients with CP and is increasing at almost quadruple the rate of those without. Clinicians need to pay closer attention to the identified at-risk groups for ameliorative targeted interventions.

A Systematic Review of Intra-pancreatic Fat Deposition and Pancreatic Carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND

Excess adiposity is considered causally related to pancreatic cancer. While most knowledge on the topic comes from studies on general and visceral adiposity, the role of intra-pancreatic fat deposition in pancreatic carcinogenesis just begins to be elucidated. The aim was to conduct a comprehensive systematic review of clinical studies on intra-pancreatic fat deposition in individuals with pancreatic cancer or pre-malignant lesions.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted independently by two reviewers using three electronic databases. Studies were included if they reported on intra-pancreatic fat deposition determined based on modern radiology or histology. Summary estimates were presented as pooled prevalence or relative risk and 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies (encompassing 2178 individuals) were included. The pooled prevalence of intra-pancreatic fat deposition in individuals with pancreatic cancer or pre-malignant lesions was 52% (95% confidence interval, 38-66%). The presence of pancreatic cancer or pre-malignant lesions was associated with a significantly increased risk of intra-pancreatic fat deposition (relative risk 2.78 (95% confidence interval, 1.56-4.94, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Individuals with pancreatic cancer or pre-malignant lesions are characterized by increased intra-pancreatic fat deposition. There are sound grounds for conceptually viewing intra-pancreatic fat deposition as a combination of fat accumulation in the pancreas (due to expansion of excess visceral fat) and fatty replacement of the pancreas (due to changes in cellular identity within the pancreas). Guidelines on reporting intra-pancreatic fat deposition need to be developed with a view to informing a comprehensive and standardized characterization of this clinical entity in future studies.

Iron metabolism and the exocrine pancreas

Although the pathophysiological mechanisms and consequences of gross derangements in iron metabolism are well known, little is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying mild-to-moderate alterations in iron metabolism and their consequences. Growing evidence indicates that the exocrine pancreas has a bidirectional relationship with iron metabolism. Studies have shown alterations in circulating markers of iron metabolism, iron absorption, and intra-pancreatic iron deposition in pancreatitis. At the same time, exocrine pancreatic dysfunction has been shown in iron overload disorders. These observations reveal a compelling connection between the exocrine pancreas and iron metabolism, which are further elucidated by observations of therapeutic benefits of iron chelating agents and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. While the pancreas is not a major reservoir of iron in the body, better understanding of its relationship with iron metabolism may yield unexpected insights.

Panorama of mediators in postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an overview of mediators involved in the pathogenesis of postacute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus.

RECENT FINDINGS

The 'holistic prevention of pancreatitis' framework has brought to the fore the sequelae of not only end-stage chronic pancreatitis and extensive pancreatic necrosis but also mild acute pancreatitis. Insights from the DORADO project have provided a wealth of information on the signalling molecules that do and do not affect glucose metabolism in individuals after mild acute pancreatitis and have challenged conventional views of the pathogenesis of postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus.

SUMMARY

Growing evidence compels a reconsideration of the dogma that mechanical β-cell destruction (and the resulting insulin deficiency) is the only underlying mechanism of postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus. Chronic low-grade inflammation, β-cell compensation, lipolysis, altered secretion of gut hormones, and changes in iron metabolism characterize postacute pancreatitis diabetes mellitus. Some of these are druggable targets that offer novel opportunities to reduce the burden of pancreatitis through tertiary prevention.

Implications of Tobacco Smoking and Alcohol Consumption on Ectopic Fat Deposition in Individuals After Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are established risk factors for pancreatitis. This study investigated the associations between tobacco smoking/alcohol consumption in people after an attack of pancreatitis and intrapancreatic fat deposition (IPFD), intrahepatic fat deposition (IHFD), and skeletal muscle (SMFD) fat deposition.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify IPFD, IHFD, and SMFD by 2 independent raters. A validated questionnaire was used to determine tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption.

RESULTS

A total of 119 individuals after an attack of pancreatitis were included. Average tobacco smoking contributed most to variance in IPFD (R = 6.5%) and least to variance in SMFD (R = 0.4%). Average alcohol consumption contributed most to variance in variance in IPFD (R = 2.8%) and least to IHFD (R = 1.1%). Packs/day contributed more than years of smoking to variance in IPFD (R = 4.9 and 0.2%, correspondingly), whereas years of drinking contributed more than average daily alcohol consumption (R = 3.9 and 3.2%, correspondingly).

CONCLUSIONS

Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption contributed more to variance in IPFD than IHFD and SMFD. Smoking contributed more than drinking to variance in IPFD. The daily amount of tobacco smoked appeared to be more important than years of smoking for IPFD.

Trajectories of glycaemia following acute pancreatitis: a prospective longitudinal cohort study with 24 months follow-up

BACKGROUND

New-onset diabetes is the most common sequela of acute pancreatitis (AP). Yet, prospective changes in glycaemia over time have never been investigated comprehensively in this study population. The primary aim was to determine the cumulative incidence of new-onset prediabetes and new-onset diabetes after AP over 24 months of follow-up in a prospective cohort study. The secondary aim was to identify trajectories of glycaemia during follow-up and their predictors at the time of hospitalisation.

METHODS

Patients with a prospective diagnosis of AP and no diabetes based on the American Diabetes Association criteria were followed up every 6 months up to 24 months after hospital discharge. Incidence of new-onset prediabetes/diabetes over each follow-up period was calculated. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify common changes in glycaemia. Multinomial regression analyses were conducted to investigate the associations between a wide array of routinely available demographic, anthropometric, laboratory, imaging, and clinical factors and membership in the trajectory groups.

RESULTS

A total of 152 patients without diabetes were followed up. The cumulative incidence of new-onset prediabetes and diabetes was 20% at 6 months after hospitalisation and 43% over 24 months of follow-up (p trend < 0.001). Three discrete trajectories of glycaemia were identified: normal-stable glycaemia (32%), moderate-stable glycaemia (60%), and high-increasing glycaemia (8%). Waist circumference was a significant predictor of moderate-stable glycaemia. None of the studied predictors were significantly associated with high-increasing glycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

This first prospective cohort study of changes in glycaemia (determined at structured time points in unselected AP patients) showed that at least one out of five patients develops new-onset prediabetes or diabetes at 6 months of follow-up and more than four out of ten-in the first 2 years. Changes in glycaemia after AP follow three discrete trajectories. This may inform prevention or early detection of critical changes in blood glucose metabolism following an attack of AP and, hence, reduce the burden of new-onset diabetes after acute pancreatitis.

Pancreatic Hormone Responses to Mixed Meal Test in New-onset Prediabetes/Diabetes After Non-necrotizing Acute Pancreatitis

AIM

To investigate the pancreatic hormone responses to mixed meal test, in particular changes in insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and their interrelationship, in individuals with new-onset prediabetes or diabetes after non-necrotizing acute pancreatitis (NODAP) compared with healthy controls.

METHODS

Twenty-nine individuals with NODAP and 29 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. All participants (after fasting for at least 8 h) were given 12 oz. of BOOST drink and blood samples were collected before and after stimulation to measure insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide. Indices of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IS, 1/fasting insulin, Raynaud, and Matsuda) and insulin secretion (HOMA-β, Stumvoll, insulinogenic index 30' and 60') were calculated. Repeated measures analyses were conducted in the unadjusted and adjusted models.

RESULTS

Insulin and C-peptide levels were significantly higher in individuals with NODAP compared with controls during mixed meal test in both the unadjusted (P=0.001 for both) and adjusted (P=0.004 and P=0.006, respectively) models. HOMA-IS (P=0.005), 1/fasting insulin (P=0.018), Raynaud index (P=0.018), and Matsuda index (P=0.021) were significantly lower in individuals with NODAP, whereas HOMA-β (P=0.028) and Stumvoll index (P=0.013) were significantly higher. Glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide levels did not differ significantly between NODAP and controls during mixed meal test in both the unadjusted (P=0.345 and P=0.206, respectively) and adjusted (P=0.359 and P=0.158, respectively) models.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased insulin sensitivity, β-cell compensation, and no significant change in postprandial levels of glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide characterize NODAP. The above findings may help develop an evidence-based protocol with a view to optimize control of glucose homeostasis in NODAP.

Glucose Counter-regulation After Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Persistent hyperglycemia is a common sequela of acute pancreatitis (AP). The role of counter-regulatory hormones in maintaining glucose homeostasis has been largely studied during the course of AP, but not after clinical resolution of the disease. The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations between circulating levels of glucagon, cortisol, and human growth hormone and glucose homeostasis after AP as well as their associations with a comprehensive panel of pancreatic hormones, gut peptides, and proinflammatory cytokines.

METHODS

Participants with no history of pre-existing prediabetes or diabetes were categorized into hyperglycemia and normoglycemia after AP groups. Binary logistic regression and linear regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Eighty-three individuals were included, of whom 19 had hyperglycemia. Glucagon, cortisol, and human growth hormone did not differ significantly between the groups. Glucagon explained up to 86% of the variance in glucagon-like peptide 1, whereas cortisol explained up to 89% of the variance in interleukin 6 in hyperglycemia after AP.

CONCLUSIONS

Counter-regulatory hormones do not appear to play a direct role in the mechanisms underlying hyperglycemia after AP. However, significant associations between glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1, as well as between cortisol and interleukin 6, suggest that that these hormones may be involved indirectly in the pathophysiology of hyperglycemia after AP.

Frequency and risk factors for liver disease following pancreatitis: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Both liver disease (LD) and pancreatitis pose substantial burdens. There have been no general population-based studies on frequency of LD after an episode of pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of LD in a population-based cohort of patients following pancreatitis.

METHODS

Nationwide data on the general population of nearly 3 million people were used to identify retrospectively diagnoses of acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis (CP), LD and cirrhosis from 1998 to 2016. Acute pancreatitis was categorised as first (FAP) or recurrent (RAP) episode. Number of pancreatitis recurrences prior to LD diagnosis was determined.

RESULTS

A total of 20,931 pancreatitis patients were included, of which 874 developed LD following pancreatitis. The incidence of LD in FAP was 115.59 (95% confidence interval 102.19-128.98), in RAP - 217.63 (95% confidence interval 173.31-261.94), and in CP - 539.43 (95% confidence interval 494.72-584.13) patients per 100,000 pancreatitis patients per year. There was a significant increase in the probability of LD with increasing number of pancreatitis recurrences and, for the same number of pancreatitis recurrences, LD was significantly more frequent after CP than RAP (hazard ratio 1.666 (95% confidence interval 1.322-2.098; p = <0.001)).

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of LD increases from FAP to RAP to CP. While number of pancreatitis recurrences is a significant risk factor for development of LD, there is a higher probability of LD following CP than RAP even for the same number of recurrences. Interventions preventing pancreatitis and its progression may lower the burden of LD.

Barriers and Research Priorities for Implementing Precision Medicine

Effective management of complex pancreatic diseases demands precision medicine. While this new approach is technically feasible, many barriers to implementation impede realization of its promised benefits. Barriers exist in the acquisition and utilization of high quality, accurate, specific and quantitative information from both the clinical records and basic sciences. Barriers exist in integrating various domains of knowledge. Barriers exist in translating new insights from the bench to the bedside. Logistical barriers prevent seamless connection and interpretation of the necessary data elements. Barriers also exist with acceptance and application of precision medicine by major institutions and payers. Overcome these barriers will require high-level planning, clarity of vision into short and long term steps, and the commitment of innovative leaders, representing all stakeholders, to work together to reach a common goal.