INCIDENCE OF ACUTE PANCREATITIS IN ALBANIAN POPULATION.

BACKGROUND: Acute Pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory pathology with large regional variations in incidence and etiology. AIM: The aim of the study was to provide a description of the epidemiologic situation of AP in Albanian population, regarding incidence, etiology and severity of the disease. METHODS: We have studied all the files of all patients with acute pancreatitis admitted at the UHC 'Mother Theresa" during an eight year period (2005-2012). THE RESULTS: We had 964 admissions with the diagnosis acute pancreatitis, making an incidence of 5.64 per 100 000 inhabitants per year. Mean age of patients was 54.5 ± 16.93 years old. Among risk factors, alcohol consumption was found in 382 patients (39.6%), gallstone in 362 patients (37.6%), and others in 220 patients (22.8%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of acute pancreatitis in Albania ranges from 3.6 - 5.64 new cases per 100 000 inhabitants per year, with an increasing trend during the last years. The incidence of AP among females almost doubles during 2005-2012. Alcohol consumption is the predominating etiologic factor among young males.