SARS-CoV-2 Significantly Worsens Outcomes in Patients With Acute Pancreatitis

In patients hospitalized with acute pancreatitis, SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a significantly increased 30-day mortality rate, according to a multicenter, international study published online ahead of print in the journal Gut.

“There is emerging evidence that the pancreas may be a target organ of SARS-CoV-2 infection,” researchers wrote. “The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of patients with acute pancreatitis and coexistent SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

The study included 1777 patients with acute pancreatitis who were consecutively admitted to hospitals in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Malta, Italy, Pakistan, Turkey, and Lithuania between March 1, 2020, and July 23, 2020. Among them, 149 had concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Patients with SARS-CoV-2 coinfection tended to be older and male, with worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group functioning scores, according to the study. They were also at significantly elevated risk of moderate-to-severe or severe acute pancreatitis, local complications, acute respiratory distress syndrome, persistent organ failure, prolonged stays in the intensive care unit, and inpatient 30-day mortality.

Compared with 2.6% for patients with acute pancreatitis but no SARS-CoV-2 infection, the 30-day mortality rate was 14.7% for patients with acute pancreatitis and SARS-CoV-2 coinfection, the study found.

“In conclusion, patients presenting with concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection and acute pancreatitis are at higher risk of developing severe acute pancreatitis with associated increased morbidity and mortality,” researchers wrote. “These findings have implications for management of patients with acute pancreatitis during the current pandemic.”

—Jolynn Tumolo

Reference:

Pandanaboyana S, Moir J, Leeds JS, et al. SARS-CoV-2 infection in acute pancreatitis increases disease severity and 30-day mortality: COVID PAN collaborative study. Gut. 2021 February 5;[Epub ahead of print].