Early treatment decisions can alter the course of care for acute pancreatitis patients

Early treatment decisions can alter the course of care for acute pancreatitis patients
The pancreas is a gland that sits behind the stomach. It is larger than the gallbladder, but smaller than the liver. The pancreas makes digestive enzymes that help break down fat and protein in foods and allow absorption of nutrients. The pancreas also makes insulin and other hormones that control how your body is able to use sugar. Pancreatitis is inflammation (swelling) of the pancreas that is most often caused by gallstones or alcohol abuse, but can have other causes. Pancreatitis often starts as a sudden attack of upper belly pain. Treatment for pancreatitis usually focuses on easing pain and meeting the fluid and nutritional needs of the patient. There are two types of pancreatitis, acute and chronic. This infographic provides information on causes and how to treat acute pancreatitis. Credit: (c) American Gastroenterological Association

Management and treatment decisions made within the first 48 to 72 hours of hospital admission for acute pancreatitis patients can significantly alter the course of disease and duration of hospitalization. A new clinical guideline from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), published in Gastroenterology, the official journal of AGA, focuses on the critical decisions made during initial management of acute pancreatitis.

Management of acute pancreatitis has evolved slowly over the past century. However, emerging evidence challenges many of the long-held management paradigms regarding the benefit of antibiotics, the timing and mode of nutritional support, and the utility and timing of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and cholecystectomy.

AGA's new guideline aims to reduce practice variation and promote high-quality and high-value care for patients suffering from acute pancreatitis. It addresses questions on the benefits of goal-directed fluid resuscitation, early oral feeding, enteral versus parenteral nutrition, the routine use of and routine ERCP in all patients with acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas that can cause local injury, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and organ failure. In the U.S., is a leading cause of inpatient care among gastrointestinal conditions with more than 275,000 patients hospitalized annually, at an aggregate cost of over $2.6 billion per year, and evidence shows that the incidence has been rising.

The guideline is accompanied by a technical review and a patient companion infographic, which provides key points and important information directly to patients.

More information: Seth D. Crockett et al, American Gastroenterological Association Institute Guideline on Initial Management of Acute Pancreatitis, Gastroenterology (2018). DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.01.032

Journal information: Gastroenterology
Citation: Early treatment decisions can alter the course of care for acute pancreatitis patients (2018, February 9) retrieved 18 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-02-early-treatment-decisions-acute-pancreatitis.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Vigorous IV hydration regimen cuts post-ERCP pancreatitis risk

7 shares

Feedback to editors