Abstract

Background: Acute Pancreatitis is a major health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. There is large geographical variability in incidence, disease severity and outcome with data related to prevalence rate lacking in our region. Present study is aimed to observe its demographic variability around the Jorhat Medical College.
Methods: First consecutive 50 cases of acute pancreatitis presented in the Jorhat Medical College during the study period from June 2020 to May 2021 were included in the study; data collected, systematically analyzed and statistically reviewed.
Results: Of the 50 cases, 33 (60%) were male while 17 (34%) were female. The mean age of the study sample is 37.04±13.52 (SD) years, ranging from 15 – 75 years. Majority of the patients are between 15-35 years. In 50% cases, alcohol is the most common aetiology followed by gallstones (36%), idiopathic in 10% cases. Alcohol is the most common aetiology among male and 15-35 years age group while gallstone is most common cause in females and 35-55 years age group. Among 50 cases, 41 (82%) are mild acute pancreatitis and 9 (18%) have severe acute pancreatitis. Majority of severe acute pancreatitis cases are male and alcoholic. Of 50 cases, among Hindus (n= 47) ethnic Assamese are 54%, Tea tribe 20%, Mising 10%, UP 6%, Bengali 4%, while Muslim 4% and Christian 2%. Gallstone is most common cause among ethnic Assamese and alcohol is the common cause in Tea tribe and Mising. Geographical distributions of the cases are as follows: Jorhat district 50% (n=25), Golaghat 32% (n= 16), Majuli 14% (n= 7) and Sivasagar 4% (n=2).
Conclusion: Acute pancreatitis is more common among male than female. Assamese are the most commonly affected ethnic group, gallstone being the most common cause among them. Alcohol is the most common aetiology in Tea tribes and Mising community. Male and alcoholics are more prone to severe acute pancreatitis. The incidence of acute pancreatitis is more in younger population 15-35 years and alcohol is the most common cause in this age group. Most of the cases are from Jorhat district followed by Golaghat, Majuli and Sivasagar.