Ethnic differences in risk factors of acute pancreatitis.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The ethnic difference in the risk factors of acute pancreatitis remains unknown. The objective of this study is to investigate the differences in the risk factors of acute pancreatitis between Taiwanese aborigines and nonaborigines. DESIGN: A retrospective study of 622 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to our hospital (Puli Christian Hospital) from 2006 to 2014. The risk factors and biochemical properties of acute pancreatitis were comapred between aborgines and nonaborgines. RESULTS: The first episode of acute pancreatitis amongst the aboriginal group was commonly observed in young age groups (39.3 versus 47.8 years, p < 0.05), female patients (0.61 versus 0.27, p < 0.05), and patients with a habit of drinking alcohol (84% versus 65%, p < 0.05). Analysis of the biochemical properties and risk factors demonstrated siginifcantly high uric acid levels (7.63 versus 6.56 mg/dL, p < 0.05), and an increased prevalence of alcohol-related pancreatitis (60.0% versus 49.6%, p < 0.05) in the aboriginal group. CONCLUSIONS: Taiwanese aborigines were reported to be more susceptible to alcohol-related pancreatitis than nonaborigines. The decreasing levels of excessive alcohol consumption may reduce the disease burden of acute pancreatitis.