Is there a correlation between the initial calcium level and Balthazar classification in patients with acute pancreatitis?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While a life-threatening course is observed in 2–3% of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), mortality can be up to 50% in severe AP. In our study, we research relationship between calcium level and Modified Balthazar (MB) score. METHODS: 354 patients who were followed up with a diagnosis of AP between 2013 and 2019 were included in our study. Serum calcium level was measured within the first 24 h. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed in all patients in the first 12 h and between 3 and 7 days. The severity of AP was determined according to the MB classification. The correlation between calcium level and MB classification was examined. RESULTS: 206 (58.2%) of the patients were women. Mean age was 54.8±17.9 years (range: 18–100). It was observed that the rate of severe AP was significantly higher in the low calcium group compared to the MB classification in which tomographies taken at ad- mission and 72 h after were evaluated (p