Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy: a comparison of associated conditions, treatments and complications

Objective: Acute pancreatitis is a rare condition in pregnancy. The aim of this study is to compare associated conditions, treatments and complications of pancreatitis in pregnant and age-matched non-pregnant controls. Methods: We carried out a population-based retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS) from 2003 to 2010. A cohort of pregnant women with acute pancreatitis was created and compared to a created age-matched cohort of non-pregnant women with acute pancreatitis at a 1:4 ratio. Comparisons of associated conditions, treatment types, and complications were carried out using unconditional logistic regression. Results: We identified 7725 cases of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy. As compared to non-pregnant controls, pancreatitis in pregnancy was more likely to be associated with cholelithiasis and less likely with hyperlipidemia and alcohol abuse. Pancreatitis in pregnancy was more likely to be treated with parenteral nutrition and less likely to undergo endoscopic sphincterotomy. As compared to non-pregnant controls, pregnant women with pancreatitis were less likely to have pancreatic pseudocysts/hemorrhage/necrosis, generalized peritonitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and death. Conclusion: Pancreatitis in pregnancy is predominantly caused by cholelithiasis, and unlike in the non-pregnant state, usually has a milder course.