Acute pancreatitis: Definition, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i3.48497

Keywords:

Acute Pancreatitis; Pancreatic Inflammation; Diagnosis; Treatment; Complications.

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the pancreas characterized by severe abdominal pain and elevated serum amylase and lipase levels. The most common etiologies are cholelithiasis and excessive alcohol consumption, although factors such as hypertriglyceridemia and the use of certain medications may also contribute. Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation, laboratory findings, and imaging studies, including computed tomography and ultrasonography. Treatment is primarily supportive, encompassing fluid resuscitation, pain management, and nutritional support. Severe cases may require endoscopic, surgical, or intensive care interventions. Early identification of complications, such as pancreatic necrosis and organ failure, is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have focused on biomarkers and therapeutic strategies to improve prognosis and individualize treatment. This study aims to review the main aspects of acute pancreatitis, with an emphasis on etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

References

Ahmed Ali, U., Issa, Y., Hagenaars, J. C., Bakker, O. J., van Goor, H., Nieuwenhuijs, V. B., ... & Besselink, M. G. (2013). Risk of recurrent pancreatitis and progression to chronic pancreatitis after a first episode of acute pancreatitis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 14(5), 738–746.

Ahmed, N., Sattar, A., Ullah, W., & Mahmood, M. (2023). Updated approaches in diagnosis and management of acute pancreatitis: a comprehensive review. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 29(4), 425–438. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v29.i4.425

Banks, P. A., Bollen, T. L., Dervenis, C., Gooszen, H. G., Johnson, C. D., Sarr, M. G., ... & Vege, S. S. (2013). Classification of acute pancreatitis—2012: revision of the Atlanta classification and definitions by international consensus. Gut, 62(1), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2012-302779

Boxhoorn, L., Bruno, M. J., & Besselink, M. G. (2023). Management of acute pancreatitis: recent advances. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 8(1), 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00307-1

Boxhoorn, L., Voermans, R. P., Bouwense, S. A., Bruno, M. J., Verdonk, R. C., Boermeester, M. A., ... & Besselink, M. G. (2020). Acute pancreatitis. The Lancet, 396(10252), 726–734. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31310-6

Buxbaum, J. L., Quezada, M., Da B. Silva, M. A., Lane, C., Yu, C. Y., Laine, L., ... & Buscaglia, J. M. (2014). Early aggressive hydration hastens clinical improvement in mild acute pancreatitis. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 109(3), 430–435.

Casarin, S. T., Piccoli, T., & Ricaldes, V. (2020). Tipos de revisão de literatura: Considerações das editoras do Journal of Nursing and Health. Journal of Nursing and Health, 10(5). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348054390_Tipos_de_revisao_de_literatura_consideracoes_das_editoras_do_Journal_of_Nursing_and_Health

Cavalcante, R. B., & Oliveira, D. C. (2020). Revisão integrativa: Conceitos e métodos utilizados na enfermagem. Revista Enfermagem UERJ, 28, e49596. https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2020.49596

Dellinger, E. P., Tellado, J. M., Soto, N. E., Ashley, S. W., Barie, P. S., Dugernier, T., ... & Beger, H. G. (2007). Early antibiotic treatment for severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Annals of Surgery, 245(5), 674–683.

Duarte, A. A., & Silva, A. C. (2019). Fisiopatologia e tratamento da pancreatite aguda. Para Research Medical Journal, 3(1), e06. https://doi.org/10.4322/prmj.2019.006

Forsmark, C. E., Vege, S. S., & Wilcox, C. M. (2016). Acute pancreatitis. The New England Journal of Medicine, 375(20), 1972–1981. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1505202

Lankisch, P. G., Apte, M., & Banks, P. A. (2015). Natural history of acute pancreatitis. Digestive Diseases, 33(3), 431–437.

Pandol, S. J., Saluja, A. K., Imrie, C. W., & Banks, P. A. (2007). Acute pancreatitis: bench to the bedside. Gastroenterology, 132(3), 1127–1151.

Papachristou, G. I., Muddana, V., Yadav, D., O'Connell, M., Sanders, M. K., Slivka, A., ... & Whitcomb, D. C. (2010). Comparison of BISAP, Ranson’s, APACHE-II, and CTSI scores in predicting organ failure, complications, and mortality in acute pancreatitis. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 105(2), 435–441.

Peery, A. F., Crockett, S. D., Barritt, A. S., Dellon, E. S., Eluri, S., Gangarosa, L. M., ... & Sandler, R. S. (2015). Burden of gastrointestinal, liver, and pancreatic diseases in the United States. Gastroenterology, 149(7), 1731–1741.e3.

Pereira, A. S., Shitsuka, D. M., Parreira, F. J., & Shitsuka, R. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Recuperado de https://repositorio.ufsm.br/bitstream/handle/1/15824/Lic_Computacao_Metodologia-Pesquisa-Cientifica.pdf

Rother, E. T. (2007). Revisão sistemática X revisão narrativa. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, 20(2), v-vi. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-21002007000200001

Singh, V. K., Wu, B. U., Bollen, T. L., Repas, K., Maurer, R., Mortele, K. J., ... & Banks, P. A. (2009). A prospective evaluation of the Revised Atlanta Classification of acute pancreatitis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 7(11), 1234–1241.

Tenner, S., Baillie, J., DeWitt, J., & Vege, S. S. (2013). American College of Gastroenterology guideline: management of acute pancreatitis. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 108(9), 1400–1415. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2013.218

Thoeni, R. F. (2012). The revised Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis: its importance for the radiologist and its effect on treatment. Radiology, 262(3), 751–764. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.11110947

Vege, S. S., DiMagno, M. J., & Forsmark, C. E. (2018). Acute pancreatitis. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, 47(3), 627–643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gtc.2018.04.003

Working Group IAP/APA Acute Pancreatitis Guidelines. (2013). IAP/APA evidence-based guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis. Pancreatology, 13(4 Suppl 2), e1–e15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pan.2013.07.063

Wu, B. U., Johannes, R. S., Sun, X., Tabak, Y., Conwell, D. L., & Banks, P. A. (2008). The early prediction of mortality in acute pancreatitis: a large population-based study. Gut, 57(12), 1698–1703.

Yadav, D., & Lowenfels, A. B. (2013). Trends in the epidemiology of acute pancreatitis. Gastroenterology, 144(6), 1252–1261.

Published

21/03/2025

How to Cite

NUNES, P. R.; PEREIRA, D. M. T.; MENDONÇA, L. T. de; SOUSA, J. da S.; GOMES, M. L. dos S.; CARVALHO, J. V. T. de; MACEDO, R. L. B. de; BARROS, P. M. B. de; BROWN, I. G. S.; MELO, G. C. dos S. Acute pancreatitis: Definition, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Research, Society and Development, [S. l.], v. 14, n. 3, p. e7214348497, 2025. DOI: 10.33448/rsd-v14i3.48497. Disponível em: https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/48497. Acesso em: 10 may. 2025.

Issue

Section

Health Sciences