Clinical Usefulness of Cortisol, Antinuclear Antibodies and High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein in Acute Pancreatitis
Clinical Usefulness of Cortisol, Antinuclear Antibodies and High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein in Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially life-threatening disease with varying severity of
 presentation. Nearly 60%-80% of all cases of AP in developed countries are attributable to
 either gallstone disease or alcohol abuse. The incidence is similar in both sexes, although
 alcohol abuse is the more common cause in men and gallstones is the more common cause in
 women.
Severe acute pancreatitis is one of the most common acute abdomens in clinical practice.
 Owing to its acute onset, rapid progress, and high mortality, it has become a hot clinical
 study spot and one of the toughest medical problems. Markers of inflammation, such as
 high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), are predictive of the severity of acute pancreatitis and may
 be useful in identifying patients with severe acute pancreatitis in the early phase after
 onset.

 Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are important biomarkers for the autoimmune disorder. ANA may
 contribute to the pathogenesis of pancreatitis and ANA positivity is associated with the
 presence of autoimmune pancreatitis. Cortisol is released into the blood due to stimulation
 of corticotrophin receptors in the adrenal cortex. Thus, serum cortisol can be measured.
 Although the association between serum levels of some inflammatory marker and acute
 pancreatitis revealed, the relationship between ANA, cortisol, hs-CRP and with the severity
 of acute pancreatic lesions have not evaluated yet.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  abdominal pain consistent with AP

 -  serum amylase activity at least 3 times greater than the upper limit of normal

 -  Patients of age 18 years or more who are willing to participate in the study and give
 their consent for same.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with severe liver disease, pulmonary embolus, sepsis, and renal failure were
 excluded from the study.