Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute pancreatitis in the Czech Republic – pilot data PANACOTA study (PANcreatitis Acuta in COVid Time Analysis)

Abstract

Summary: Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on health care. Previous studies point to a possible negative impact of COVID-19 infection on the development and severity of acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology, treatment and prognosis of acute pancreatitis at the population level. Methods: Using data from the National Registry of Reimbursed Health Services (NRRHS) parameters of hospital admissions for acute pancreatitis, the provided health care and treatment outcomes in the pandemic period (2020 and 2021) with previous years (2010–2019) were compared. Results: The incidence during the pandemic was not significantly different from the previous period: 67 vs. 63 per 100,000 population. Hospitalizations for acute pancreatitis in each month of 2020 and 2021 did not correlate with the number of COVID-19 positive patients. The overall mortality rates for acute pancreatitis before and during the pandemic were almost identical – at 3.8% and 3.9%, respectively. There was a trend towards a decrease in the number of surgical procedures, a gradual decrease in ERCPs and an increase in endoscopic drainages throughout the 2010–2021 period. The crude mortality rate of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and concomitant acute pancreatitis was 14.2% and these patients were operated in 4.7%. Conclusions: Based on pilot population data, the COVID-19 pandemic did not have an impact on the incidence of acute pancreatitis in the Czech Republic. A more severe course and prognosis of the disease was associated with near-term COVID-19 positivity. More frequent indication of surgical and other interventions for acute pancreatitis in COVID-19 positive individuals may have been related to the disruption of standard quality and availability of care. Key words: acute pancreatitis – COVID-19 – epidemiology – endoscopic drainage – surgery – complications