The impact of aging on post-ERCP pancreatitis and its severity

Objective To study the impact of aging on pancreatic atrophy, fibrosis and exocrine hypofunction in patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and its severity. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 786 patients who underwent ERCP at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from June 2011 to April 2018. Patients who were aged over 75 years were grouped into the elderly group while those aged less than 75 years were grouped into the younger group. The incidences and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis in the two groups were analyzed. Results In the elderly group, there were 308 patients. The average age was (81.8±4.8) years. In the younger group, there were 478 patients. The average age was (57.7±12.0) years. The average operation time for the elderly group was (52.5±14.1) minutes, and that for the younger group was (50.7±14.9) minutes. There were no significant differences in operation time and in the related factors between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the rates of hyperamylasemia between the two groups (29.9% vs 30.1%, P>0.05). The overall rate of PEP was 11.3% (89/786). In the elderly group, the rate of PEP was 6.5% (20/308), which was significantly lower than that in the younger group (χ2=11.765, P<0.05). The rates of mild, moderate and severe PEP in the elderly group was significantly lower than those in the younger group (all P<0.05). Hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis in the 2 groups were alleviated after conservative treatment. Conclusions Aging (≥75 years) resulted in pancreatic atrophy, fibrosis, exocrine hypofunction which had a protective effect on PEP. Key words: Pancreatitis; Hyperamylasemia; Cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde; Jaundice, obstructive; Biliary strictures