Study of Copeptin as a Diagnostic Marker for Acute Pancreatitis
Study of Copeptin as a Diagnostic Marker for Acute Pancreatitis
The purpose of this study is to investigate if there is an association between copeptin level
 in serum and the severity of pancreatitis and if copeptin can be used as a predictor for
 organ failure and pancreatic necrosis with or without superinfection.
Acute pancreatitis may range from mild to severe disease with high mortality in case of
 infected pancreatic necrosis. Due to its rising incidence it remains an important healthcare
 problem in Europe and US. The assessment of the severity of pancreatitis is crucial for the
 further management and the prognosis. Several quite complex scores like Ranson or APACHE II
 scores has been used in the past with reasonable sensitivity for necrosis or superinfection
 as well as inflammation markers like c-reactive Protein.

 Copeptin, the C-terminal part of antidiuretic hormone, is a relatively stable peptide in
 blood circulation. Several studies investigated Copeptin in the presence of Systemic
 Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis, myocardial infarction, lower respiratory
 tract infection and cerebral stroke. Copeptin has shown to be a helpful prognostic marker in
 these diseases. The aim of this prospective study is to investigate whether Copeptin can be
 used to assess the severity of pancreatitis.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  diagnosis of acute pancreatitis

 -  written informed consent

 -  inpatient treatment

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  time interval between onset of abdominal symptoms and study inclusion >96h

 -  patients unable to consent