Risk Factors and Management of Acute Pancreatitis; A Systematic Review

Pancreatitis, characterized by pancreatic inflammation, commonly stems from triggers such as gallstones and excessive alcohol consumption. Gene-environment interactions intricately contribute to disease onset and progression, challenging the traditional classification of acute, recurring, and chronic pancreatitis as distinct entities. Instead, a disease continuum has emerged, where 30% of acute pancreatitis cases progress into a chronic form, often involving episodes of recurrence. This systematic study aims to explore the Risk Factors and Management of Acute Pancreatitis. Data from PubMed/Medline, Scopus databases, and Embase were analyzed following PRISMA guidelines (2010–2023). Among 329 identified studies, 15 met inclusion criteria, primarily employing surveys and national database analyses. Enhanced comprehension of risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment is crucial for refining future evaluation and management strategies. Pancreatitis exhibits multifaceted characteristics, presenting diverse causes, symptoms, and outcomes. Current understanding of its natural history and treatment remains limited. Long-term follow-up and randomized studies are imperative to unravel gene-environment interactions and formulate innovative therapeutic approaches. The increased incidence has facilitated progress in defining pancreatitis, with identified risk factors including biliary issues, anatomical abnormalities, systemic diseases, medications, trauma, genetics, infections, and metabolic factors. Notably, the proportion of idiopathic cases has decreased due to improved recognition of genetic and anatomical variants. Effective acute pancreatitis management necessitates early and aggressive fluid and nutritional therapy, pain control, and addressing precipitating factors.