Serum Profiles of C-Reactive Protein, Interleukin-8, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract EN

Background-Aims.

Early prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis would lead to prompt intensive treatment resulting in improvement of the outcome.

The present study investigated the use of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as prognosticators of the severity of the disease.

Methods.

Twenty-six patients with acute pancreatitis were studied.

Patients with APACHE II score of 9 or more formed the severe group, while the mild group consisted of patients with APACHE II score of less than 9.

Serum samples for measurement of CRP, IL-8 and TNF-α were collected on the day of admission and additionally on the 2nd, 3rd and 7th days.

Results.

Significantly higher levels of IL-8 were found in patients with severe acute pancreatitis compared to those with mild disease especially at the 2nd and 3rd days (P=.001 and P=.014, resp.).

No significant difference for CRP and TNF-α was observed between the two groups.

The optimal cut-offs for IL-8 in order to discriminate severe from mild disease at the 2nd and 3rd days were 25.4 pg/mL and 14.5 pg/mL, respectively.

Conclusions.

IL-8 in early phase of acute pancreatitis is superior marker compared to CRP and TNF-α for distinguishing patients with severe disease.