What is the incidence of acute pancreatitis in the United States?

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Last updated: February 8, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

The incidence of acute pancreatitis in the United States is estimated to be around 34 cases per 100,000 person-years.

Incidence Details

  • The global incidence of acute pancreatitis is estimated at 34 cases per 100,000 person-years and has been reported to be rising in recent years 1.
  • The incidence of acute pancreatitis is one of the most frequent and critical gastrointestinal diseases resulting in hospital admissions worldwide.
  • Although the provided evidence does not specifically mention the incidence of acute pancreatitis in the United States, the global estimate can be used as a reference point.
  • It is essential to note that the incidence of acute pancreatitis may vary depending on the population and region, but the global estimate provides a general idea of the disease's frequency.
  • The mortality rate of acute pancreatitis is estimated at 1.6 deaths per 100,000 person-years 1, highlighting the importance of appropriate management and treatment of the disease.

From the Research

Incidence of Acute Pancreatitis

  • The incidence of acute pancreatitis in the United States has been increasing over the years, with a significant rise from 9.48 cases per 1000 hospitalizations in 2002 to 12.19 per 1000 hospitalizations in 2013 2.
  • A study using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's State Inpatient Database found that from 2008 to 2015, the incidence of acute pancreatitis was 1.15% of all hospitalizations, with a total of 929,914 cases identified 3.
  • Another study found that the incidence of emergency department visits for acute pancreatitis increased from 9.9 to 10.6 per 10,000 person-years between 2006 and 2009 4.

Trends in Incidence and Outcomes

  • The incidence of acute pancreatitis has been increasing, while in-hospital mortality has been decreasing, with a decline from 2.99% in 2002 to 2.04% in 2013 2.
  • The mean length of stay for acute pancreatitis has also decreased, from 6.99 days in 2002 to 5.74 days in 2013 2.
  • However, the cost of hospitalization for acute pancreatitis has increased significantly, from $27,827 in 2002 to $49,772 in 2013 2.

Healthcare Utilization and Costs

  • Acute pancreatitis is a common inpatient diagnosis among gastrointestinal disorders, with a significant increase in inpatient admissions and costs over the years 5.
  • The mean hospital charges for acute pancreatitis increased by 118.6% from $15,433 in 1997 to $33,744 in 2012 5.
  • Despite the increase in costs, the in-hospital mortality rate for acute pancreatitis has decreased significantly, from 1.9% in 1997 to 0.78% in 2012 5.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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