Clinicoetiological and Demographic Profile of Acute Pancreatitis in Kashmir Valley

Abstract

Background and objectives:The study has been done with the aim to identify the clinicoetiological profile of acute pancreatitis in Kashmir valley in view of the fact of low alcoholism and high biliary tract worm infestation in the region.Design and Setting:Prospective, in patients admitted with acute pancreatitis.Patients and Methods:The study included 150 consecutive patients of acute pancreatitis who reported to surgical department of this hospital over a period of five years. All these patients were subjected to detailed history and clinical examination and investigations. Data collected was tabulated and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.Results:The majority of our patients were in the age range of 41-60 years. Females had a clearcut predominance over males. A larger proportion of our patients was from rural areas of Kashmir. Biliary tract pathology was the predominant etiology in our study patients. Most patients presented with history of pain abdomen and nausea, vomiting. Tenderness and guarding of upper abdomen were the main clinical findings.Conclusion: Acute pancreatitis is most commonly caused by billiary pathologies among which ascariasis is the second most common cause after the gallstones, which is preventable if transmission of ascariasis can be checked by sanitation barriers.