Comparing Traditional Serum Amylase with Relatively New Lipase in Acute Pancreatitis.

ABSTRACT

Acute pancreatitis is most often diagnosed clinically and by blood tests rather than expensive radiological methods. Among the blood tests, amylase and lipase are frequently used to diagnose acute pancreatitis. In this retrospective study, we compare amylase versus lipase in terms of sensitivity and specificity with ROC curve analysis.40 established cases of acute pancreatitis were chosen. Day 1 measurements of serum amylase and lipase were noted. Values ≥3 times the upper limit of normal were considered to have acute pancreatitis. 40 age and sex matched controls were also chosen. Cases and controls were compared statistically.Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed for amylase and lipase. Area under the curve (AUC) for amylase was 0.85 and for lipase 0.92. At a cut off level of 122U/L, serum amylase had a sensitivity of 64.5% and specificity of 91%. On the other hand, serum lipase had a sensitivity of 67.5% and specificity of 97.5% at a cut-off level of 58U/L. Our study clearly shows that sensitivity and specificity of serum lipase is better than that of serum amylase and hence proves that lipase is a better marker for acute pancreatitis than amylase.