Background:

Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common complication of Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Objective:

to demonstrate whether serum amylase and lipase values correlate with the presence and severity of PEP.

Method:

We conducted a retrospective, observational and analytical study of patients who underwent ERCP, those who developed pancreatitis were classified by severity according to the 2012 revised Atlanta criteria and their serum enzyme levels were analyzed. We used ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) curves to know the best enzyme cutoff points and analyzed their diagnostic yields. Chi-square, t-distribution and Mann-Whitney U test were used in the variable analysis and it was considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.

Results:

A total 621 patients, 54 presented pancreatitis. For moderately severe and severe forms: lipase level of 1500 U/L had an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.827, 95% CI (0.67-0.98), sensitivity = 72.7%, specificity = 86%, negative predictive value = 92.5%, p < 0.05. Amylase level of 920 U/L presented AUC = 0.65, 95% CI (0.43-0.86), sensitivity = 63%, specificity = 67%, p > 0.05.

Conclusions:

Serum lipase shows correlation with the presence and severity of PEP. Amylase shows no significant correlation with PEP.