Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Early hyperglycemia in acute pancreatitis (AP) is prognostic sign of severe attack. Elevated lipid levels are one of the major risk factors for AP. The objective of this work was to evaluate the glycaemic and lipid profile in patients (pts) with acute pancreatitis, treated in our institution.

Methods: A total of sixty nine pts with AP were admitted to a Department of Internal medicine, from January to December 2012.

At admission, plasma glucose concentration, total cholesterol serum level, triglyceride level, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol level were measured. In patients with no previously known DM, and plasma glucose concentration at admission ≥ 7.8 mmol/l (14 pts), the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glucose monitoring during hospitalization were performed. In pts with persistent FPG ≥6.1 mmol/l, the oral glucose tolerance test was done 1–2 days before hospital discharge.

Results: Of sixty nine patients studied, 39 pts (57%) were female. Average age of pts was 59.9±18.3 years (min 25 years and max 90 years). Total cholesterol serum level was 5.13±3.27 mmol/l (range 2.3–20 mmol/l), triglyceride 3.63±12.03 mmol/l (range 0.4-63.7 mmol/l), HDL cholesterol 1.25±0.48 mmol/l (range 0.5–2.4 mmol/l), LDL cholesterol 2.75±1.25 mmol/l (range 0.7–4.7 mmol/l), plasma glucose concentration at admission 7.74±3.05 mmol/l (range 3.6–20.2 mmol/l), and FPG at discharge 5.65±1.48 mmol/l (range 4.3–10.4 mmol/l). Previously known DM was recorded in 12 pts (17.4%); before admission 6 of them were treated with insulin, five with oral medication, one patient only with diet. According to blood glucose tests, seven pts had newly diagnosed DM type 2 (two pts on diet, three pts oral agents, and two pts requiring insulin at the discharge), and six had new impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Conclusion: High percentage of pts with hyperglycemia on admission and newly diagnosed glycemic abnormalities at discharge, suggest the need of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this conditions.