Prognostication of Acute Pancreatitis using Simple SIRS Score and Serum Interleukin-6 Concentration for Effective Intervention of Severe Acute Pancreatitis in Primary Health Care

Recent diagnostic and therapeutic progress for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has decreased the case mortality rate. There is a therapeutic window within the first 48 h, when specific treatment may alter the outcome. An ideal scoring system and laboratory assay in the evaluation of acute pancreatitis patients should provide an early severity assessment to facilitate treatment. This should be applicable in the clinical setting, rapid, low cost, accurate and available on a 24-hour basis. Objective: To evaluate the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) score and Interleukin (IL)-6 for predicting severity of acute pancreatitis. Methodology: SIRS scoring system and IL -6 levels is evaluated in 30 patients with acute pancreatitis at time of admission. These 30 patients were divided into 2 groups- mild and severe pancreatitis depending on presence of organ failure and/or local complications such as necrosis, etc. Correlation between SIRS’s score and IL-6 levels and its role in predicting severity of pancreatitis was evaluated. Results: Thirty-patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to our hospital between March 2014 to October 2015 were studied, 12 mild-group patients and 18 severe-group patients. SIRS score for severe form was > 2 while mild form had score < 2. IL-6 levels showed significant differences (p < 0.005) between the severe group and the mild group on the day of admission. Even SIRS score and IL-6 levels showed significant correlation with severity of pancreatitis. Conclusion: SIRS scoring system and IL-6 levels on the day of admission are useful for early prediction of severity of acute pancreatitis in primary health care and aides in effective management, thus reducing the morbidity and mortality of acute pancreatitis.