Epidemiology of Acute Biliary and Alcoholic Pancreatitis, Is There a Seasonal Pattern?

Abstract

Purpose: Although the etiologies of acute biliary and alcoholic pancreatitis are known, the exact factors contributing to their occurrence are not fully clear. In this report, we questioned whether there are seasonal variations in the occurrence of these two diseases. Methods: Data was retrospectively collected on hospitalized patients with acute biliary or alcoholic pancreatitis from 1981–2000. We intend to continue this study for another 5 years. Information regarding patient's age, sex, ethnicity, date and season of birth, date and season of the occurrence of acute pancreatitis and its relation to the holidays were recorded. Results: A total of 527 cases of acute biliary and alcoholic pancreatitis were admitted from 1981 to 2000 with a distribution of 45% and 55%, respectively. The entire sample contained 50% males and 50% females. However, there were significant sex differences between the two diseases (p < 0.0005). Among biliary cases, 25% were male and 75% were female and in the alcoholic group, 70% were male and 30% were female. We also observed a significant age difference between the two etiologies (p < 0.00005). Mean age was 52 ± 21 (sd) years for biliary cases and 42 ± 12 (sd) years for alcoholic cases. In addition, the ethnicity of patients was significantly different between biliary and alcoholic groups (p= 0.004). Among biliary cases, the ethnicity distribution was 25% white, 35% African American, 35% Hispanic and 5% Asian. In alcoholic patients, there were 17% white, 54% African American, 23% Hispanic and 5% Asian. In this sample of 527 patients, the occurrence of biliary pancreatitis has continually increased over the 20-year period (p < 0.0005), which has followed the trend toward increasing body mass index in the population. We have found no relationship between the occurrence of acute biliary or alcoholic pancreatitis and patient's month or season of admission and whether or not more cases occurred around the major holidays. Conclusions: Age, sex and ethnicity are different among patients with biliary versus alcoholic pancreatitis. The occurrence of biliary pancreatitis is on the rise. There is no seasonal pattern for occurrence of acute pancreatitis. There is no increase in the occurrence of alcoholic or biliary pancreatitis around major holidays.