The overlooked significance of central obesity in the severity of acute pancreatitis

Central obesity has emerged as a pervasive global concern in recent times. The metabolic and cardiovascular risks associated with central obesity are not as well understood as the risks associated with obesity itself. The aim of the study is to evaluate how central obesity affects the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). The current research included individuals aged 18 and above who were admitted for the first time to the Gastroenterology Clinic at Fırat University Hospital with a diagnosis of AP during the years 2022 and 2023. Participants were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of central obesity, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. A comparative analysis was conducted among these groups, concentrating on anthropometric measurements, the Atlanta classification, Ranson score, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), laboratory findings, and clinical outcomes. Patients with a Ranson score of 3 or lower were identified as having mild AP, whereas those with a score exceeding 3 were categorized as having severe AP. Out of the 75 patients who participated in the study, 45 individuals, accounting for 60%, showed signs of central obesity. In the central obesity group, the AP severity was found to be significantly higher according to Ranson scores and the Atlanta classification (p<0.05). In analyses based on BMI classification, central obesity was found to independently affect AP severity. A meticulous examination of the data revealed no statistically significant disparities between the study groups with respect to the Charlson Comorbidity Index or the duration of hospital stay. Central obesity has been found to affect AP severity independently of BMI. The consideration of central obesity as an independent risk factor in acute pancreatitis is believed to significantly enhance the prediction of mortality and morbidity in the disease.