Calcium level may be a predictive factor for pseudocyst formation after acute pancreatitis

Pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs) are defined as fluid collections more than 4 weeks old that are surrounded by a nonepithelial wall of fibrous or granulation tissue. Many risk factors have been asso- ciated with pseudocyst development but predictive factors remain to be explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical, and biochemical parameters that may predict the development of a PPs after an attack of acute pancreatitis (AP). The medical charts of 102 patients diagnosed with AP were en- rolled into the study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory details were recorded at admission and at the 48th hour. There were sev- eral risk factors on admission and at the 48th hour that was predic- tive of PP formation when evaluated by univariate analysis such as : Alanine aminotransferase level at 48 hrs, calcium level at ad- mission, base excess at 48 hrs, calcium level at 48 hrs, and albumin level at 48 hrs. In multivariate analysis, low calcium level at admis- sion was the only variable that was shown to predict formation of PPs. Lower serum calcium level may be a predictive factor for the development of PPs after AP attack. We advise that patients with calcium levels below 8 mg/dl, after AP should be followed more closely. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2015, 78, 219-222).