Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammation of the pancreas with wide clinical variation and epidemiological distribution. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological features of AP in Qassim region.
Methods: All consecutive patients who presented with AP at King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Buraydah, Qassim region between 2017 and 2019 were included. The primary outcome of the study was to explore the epidemiological features, etiology, severity and outcome for those patients.
Results: A total of 37 patients were included in the study; 54% of those patients were found to have mild form of AP. Biliary and idiopathic sources were the main etiology and account for more 85% of the cases. More than half of the patients had local complications including pancreatic fluid collection.
Conclusion: Gallstone and idiopathic source of etiology represent the most common cause of AP in Qassim region. Most of the patients had mild presentation, however, local complications from AP were found in more than half of the patients.

Key words: Acute pancreatitis, gallstones, severity of acute pancreatitis, complications, Saudi Arabia.