Ethnic differences in risk factors of acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: The ethnic difference in the risk factors of acute pancreatitis remains unknown. The objective of this study is to investigate the differences in the risk factors of acute pancreatitis between Taiwanese aborigines and nonaborigines. DESIGN: A retrospective study of 622 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to our hospital (Puli Christian Hospital) from 2006 to 2014. The risk factors and biochemical properties of acute pancreatitis were comapred between aborgines and nonaborgines. RESULTS: The first episode of acute pancreatitis amongst the aboriginal group was commonly observed in young age groups (39.3 versus 47.8 years, p < 0.05), female patients (0.61 versus 0.27, p < 0.05), and patients with a habit of drinking alcohol (84% versus 65%, p < 0.05). Analysis of the biochemical properties and risk factors demonstrated siginifcantly high uric acid levels (7.63 versus 6.56 mg/dL, p < 0.05), and an increased prevalence of alcohol-related pancreatitis (60.0% versus 49.6%, p < 0.05) in the aboriginal group. CONCLUSIONS: Taiwanese aborigines were reported to be more susceptible to alcohol-related pancreatitis than nonaborigines. The decreasing levels of excessive alcohol consumption may reduce the disease burden of acute pancreatitis.

Risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus: ethnic disparities.

OBJECTIVE: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of poor maternal and infant health outcomes; therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the ethnic disparities and identify the risk factors for GDM. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using patient records from a hospital located in the Puli area of Central Taiwan. SETTING: A teaching hospital located in a rural mountainous area of Central Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: Between 2002 and 2012, the hospital admitted 154 patients (107 non-aborigines, 30 aborigines, and 17 non-Taiwanese) who exhibited glucose intolerance during their pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: GDM was confirmed using the oral-glucose-tolerance-test administered in dose of either 100 g or 75 g. The incidence and risk factors for GDM in the aboriginal and non-aboriginal women was compared. RESULTS: We excluded the patients who had overt diabetes or were non-Taiwanese. Thus, 132 patients (28 aboriginal and 104 non-aboriginal women; mean age 30 years) were enrolled in the final study. A total of 51 patients (15 aboriginal, 36 non-aboriginal women) had GDM, which was more prevalent among the aboriginal mothers (53.6% versus 34.6%). The risk factors for GDM among the aboriginal women were persistent glycosuria and prior macrosomia. CONCLUSION: The Taiwanese aboriginal women exhibited higher incidence of GDM; thus, we recommend that early screening and health education for pregnant aboriginal women be provided.