Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2018)

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a sudden inflammatory condition of the pancreas that can range from mild, self-limiting symptoms to severe, life-threatening organ dysfunction. Anaemia, a frequent comorbidity in hospitalized patients, may influence the clinical course and outcome of AP through its impact on tissue oxygenation and systemic inflammatory response. This study aims to assess the association between anaemia and the severity and progression of acute pancreatitis.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital and included medical records of 160 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis between January 2021 and December 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on hemoglobin levels at admission: Anaemic (Hb <12 g/dL in females, <13 g/dL in males) and Non-anaemic. Clinical data including etiology, severity scores (Revised Atlanta Classification, BISAP score), duration of hospitalization, systemic complications, ICU admission, and mortality were compared between groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.

Results: Out of 160 patients, 62 (38.8%) were anaemic on admission. The anaemic group had significantly higher rates of severe AP (46.7% vs. 21.3%, p=0.003), longer hospital stay (9.4 ± 2.6 days vs. 6.8 ± 2.1 days), and greater need for ICU care (30.6% vs. 14.5%, p=0.018). Mortality was higher in the anaemic group (11.2%) compared to the non-anaemic group (4.3%). Organ failure and systemic complications including acute kidney injury and respiratory distress were more frequent in anaemic patients.

Conclusion: Anaemia at presentation appears to be associated with increased severity, complications, and prolonged hospitalization in patients with acute pancreatitis. Routine assessment and early correction of anaemia may be beneficial in improving outcomes in AP patients.