Time frames for analysis of inflammatory mediators in acute pancreatitis: improving admission triage.

Improving the outcome of acute pancreatitis through prognostic markers has been a matter of ample research. We evaluate the clinical usefulness of four serum markers in comparison to Ranson's score. Serum measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6, -10 (IL-6, IL-10), and pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) were performed. The usefulness of each marker for predicting severity was compared with that of Ranson's score. Time of evolution was considered for improving their usefulness. Seventy-one patients were studied. Severe cases had higher levels of all markers, although only IL-10 had better accuracy than Ranson's. In patients admitted during the first 48 h, IL-6, IL-10, and PAP had improved accuracy over Ranson's; however, after this time frame, only CRP outperformed Ranson's score. Analysis of time frames improved the accuracy of all markers. Therefore, time of evolution should be considered when using these parameters for a better prognosis.

Android fat distribution as predictor of severity in acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity is considered an independent risk factor for the development of severe acute pancreatitis (AP). The purpose of this study was to define the type of fat distribution related to severity in AP. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with first-time AP underwent measurements of weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and skinfold thickness on admission. Severity was defined according to Atlanta criteria. RESULTS: AP was severe in 27 (31%) patients. There was a tendency for obese patients to develop severe AP (p = 0.11). Android fat distribution by waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference above ideal cut-off value (ROC curves analysis) were significantly associated with severity (RR: 5.54, 95% CI 1.39-22.04, and RR: 4.36, 95% CI 1.40-13.57, respectively). After adjusting for potential confounders, both measurements remained predictors of severity in the logistic regression model (OR: 9.23, 95% CI 1.67-51.07, and OR: 13.41, 95% CI 2.43-73.97, respectively). Body fat percentage was not associated with incidence of severity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with android fat distribution and higher waist circumference are at greater risk for developing severe AP. Findings could be related to the amount of abdominal fat but also to an overactive systemic inflammatory response that tend to be upregulated in android fat distribution.

Uso y abuso de los bloqueadores de los receptores H2 de la histamina en pacientes hospitalizados / Use and abuse of histamine H2 receptor blockers in hospitalized patients

Objetivo: Evaluar si los bloqueadores de los receptores H2 de la histamina (BH2) son adecuadamente prescritos en pacientes hospitalizados fuera de unidades de medicina crítica. Antecedentes: Los BH2 son prescritos frecuentemente, pero su buena tolerancia y accesibilidad han contribuido al abuso de estos fármacos. Métodos: Vigilamos 678 pacientes admitidos en tres hospitales del pais hasta incluir 100 enfermos de cada uno de ellos (300 en total) que consecutivamente recibieron BH2. Se registró la indicación para su uso, la vía de administración, la dosis y efectos secundarios. Se recopilaron las recomendaciones internacionalmente aceptadas sobre el uso de BH2 para así considerar si el tratamiento se indicó correctamente. Resultados: Doscientos veintisiete pacientes recibieron BH2 con fines profilácticos, pero sólo en 79 casos (35 por ciento) se encontró una justificación clara para su uso. Los BH2 fueron prescritos para tratar enfermedad ulcerosa o hemorragia del aparato digestivo proximal en 17 pacientes (6 por ciento). Dos de cada tres enfermos recibieron más de 10 dosis de BH2 siendo la ranitidina el más frecuentemente prescrito. Conclusiones: Aunque los BH2 son productos que provocan pocas reacciones adversas, su uso en pacientes hospitalizados debe ser rigurosamente supervisado. De hecho, la mayoría de nuestros pacientes no necesitaban BH2, por lo que su uso rutinario debe ser proscrito para evitar costos innecesarios