HLA-DR Expression in Acute Pancreatitis

Objective: To investigate the role of the monocyte/macrophage system in acute pancreatitisDesign: Prospective clinical studySetting: University clinic, GermanySubject: 37 consecutive patients who presented with acute pancreatitis.Main outcome measure: Correlation between function of monocytes measured by HLA-DR expression and outcomeResults: Patients were divided into three groups according to outcome : those with severe pancreatitis who died (n ≥ 10), those with severe pancreatitis who survived (n ≥ 15), and those with mild pancreatitis who survived (n ≥ 12). There was a clear and significant difference between those with severe and those with mild disease. HLA-DR expression was initially depressed in both groups, but after the third day of treatment it started to recover significantly in those with mild disease (p < 0.05). The difference was also significant from day 7 onwards between those with severe disease who died and those with severe disease who survived (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Monocyte function a...