Liquor store density and acute pancreatitis hospitalization

Abstract

Objectives: Alcohol use is a known risk factor for acute pancreatitis, and there is a higher alcohol outlet density in areas of greater deprivation. Undetected or untreated condition with gallstones is another preventable risk factor for acute pancreatitis. This study sought to examine the rate of acute pancreatitis hospitalizations as a possible outcome of the local liquor store density and the concentration of long-term uninsured (LTU) patients.Methods: We used a universe of all inpatient visits to licensed South Carolina (SC) healthcare providers during 2012–2013 with ZIP code level covariates extracted from the American Community Survey. A loglinear regression model was used to explore environmental correlates of severe acute pancreatitis.Results: The logged liquor store density was a significant, positive predictor of the annual acute pancreatitis hospitalization rate (p = .018). Higher LTU concentration was positively associated with acute pancreatitis hospitalization rate.Conclusions: Acute pancreatitis appears to be more prevalent in areas with higher liquor store density and with higher LTU concentration. Reducing the dominance of liquor stores as the primary or only type of retail outlet is recommended. Further study is needed to examine the impact of insurance expansion on acute pancreatitis hospitalization.