Disproportionately rising mortality rates of alcohol-associated acute Pancreatitis: Analysis from centers for Disease Control and prevention database (2011-2020).

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVE

Acute pancreatitis leads to over 300,000 emergency department visits annually. Assessing its current epidemiology is crucial for developing effective preventive strategies.

METHODS

The CDC WONDER database was utilized to obtain deaths and age-adjusted mortality rates of acute pancreatitis from 2011 to 2020, categorized by sex, type (alcohol- and non-alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis), race/ethnicity, and region.

RESULTS

In 2020, acute pancreatitis contributed to 3275 deaths in the United States (US). Alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis accounts for 17% of deaths from acute pancreatitis. From 2011 to 2020, deaths from alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis increased by 120 %, while deaths from non-alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis remained stable. The age-adjusted mortality rate from alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis is highest among non-Hispanic Black individuals (0.21 per 100,000). In contrast, among non-alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis, it is highest in American Indian and Alaska Native (1.13 per 100,000) individuals. Across racial and ethnic groups, the mortality rate from non-alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis declined in non-Hispanic Whites while remaining stable in Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks. Regarding alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis, the mortality rate has increased in non-Hispanic Blacks (annual percent change [APC]: 7.72 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.90-15.00 %) and non-Hispanic Whites (APC: 9.09 %, 95 % CI 4.76-13.59 %). By urbanization level, the mortality rate of alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis increased in all urbanization areas except large central metro areas.

CONCLUSION

The rising mortality of acute pancreatitis in the US is driven by alcohol-associated acute pancreatitis. Targeted efforts are needed to reduce mortality and curb heavy alcohol use.