Combination of APACHE-II score and an obesity score (APACHE-O) for the prediction of severe acute pancreatitis

Pancreatology. 2004;4(1):1-6. doi: 10.1159/000077021. Epub 2004 Feb 24.

Abstract

Background: The advent of specific therapeutic or preventive treatments for severe acute pancreatitis creates a need to determine the risk of complications for each individual. Scoring systems used in acute pancreatitis identify groups of patients at risk of complications, but the pancreatitis-specific scores require 48 h of hospital admission to give full information. The APACHE-II score is useful within 24 h, but ignores simple clinical features, such as obesity, known to predict severity. The aim of this study was to evaluate a combination of the APACHE-II score with an obesity score in patients with acute pancreatitis, to predict severity using information available during the first 24 h of hospital admission.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively from 186 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis, to allow calculation of the APACHE-II score and body mass index (BMI). BMI was categorised as normal (score = 0), overweight (BMI 26-30: score = 1), or obese (BMI >30: score = 2). A logistic regression model was used to identify factors significantly associated with complications (Atlanta criteria; 104 complications in 60 patients).

Results: Age, BMI and the acute physiology score independently predicted complications. Addition of the score for obesity to the APACHE-II score gave a composite score (APACHE-O) with greater predictive accuracy. At cut-off of >8, APACHE-O had sensitivity 82%, specificity 86%, positive predictive value 74%, negative predictive value 91% and overall accuracy 85%.

Conclusions: This study confirms that age, obesity and APACHE-II measured in the first 24 h of hospital admission can predict complications in acute pancreatitis. Combination of the APACHE-II and obesity scores by simple addition improved categorical prediction of severity (mild or severe) in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • APACHE*
  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Body Mass Index
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity* / complications
  • Obesity* / physiopathology
  • Pain
  • Pancreatitis / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatitis / physiopathology
  • Prospective Studies
  • ROC Curve
  • Risk Factors