Association between dyslipidemia and acute pancreatitis: A prospective cohort study

Objective To investigate the influence of dyslipidemia and number of items conforming to the diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia on new-onset acute pancreatitis ( AP) . Methods A prospective cohort study was performed for 99 695 on-the-job or retired workers of Kailuan Group who underwent the first physical examination from 2006 to 2007. According to the number of items conforming to the diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia in the first physical examination, they were divided into G0 group with 69 465 workers who did not meet the diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia, G1 group with 23 921 workers who met one item of the diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia, G2 group with5791 workers who met two items of the diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia, G3 group with 500 workers who met three items of the diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia, and G4 group with 18 workers who met four items of the diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia. New-onset AP cases were collected once every year during follow-up, and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis was used to analyze the influence of dyslipidemia on new-onset AP cases. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative incidence rate of AP in each group, and the log-rank test was used for comparison of cumulative incidence rate between groups. Results The total follow-up time of all 99 695 workers was 782 395 person-years, and since no new-onset AP cases were observed in G4 group, G4 group was combined with G3 group for analysis. The incidence rates of AP in G0, G1, G2, and G3 groups were 1. 61, 2. 05, 2. 59, and 7. 72 per thousand person-years, respectively, and the cumulative incidence rates of AP in these four groups were 1. 76‰, 2. 40‰, 3. 12‰, and 8. 39‰, respectively. The log-rank test showed a significant difference in cumulative incidence rate between groups ( χ2= 15. 18, P = 0. 004 3) . After adjustment for the other risk factors, the Cox model showed that the hazard ratio ( 95%confidence interval) for AP was 1. 23 ( 0. 88-1. 73) in G1 group, 1. 58 ( 1. 09-2. 10) in G2 group, and 4. 90 ( 1. 81-13. 37) in G3 group. Conclusion Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for new-onset AP, and the risk of AP increases with the increase in the number of items conforming to the diagnostic criteria for dyslipidemia.