Published online Dec 21, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i47.8387
Peer-review started: October 18, 2017
First decision: November 8, 2017
Revised: November 11, 2017
Accepted: November 27, 2017
Article in press: November 27, 2017
Published online: December 21, 2017
Processing time: 62 Days and 23.9 Hours
To investigate the impact of cigarette smoking on the recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP).
A total of 863 patients were admitted to our hospital for acute pancreatitis (AP) from January 2013 to March 2016, of whom 88 diagnosed with HLAP were enrolled in this retrospective study. Demographic data, medical history, previous episodes of pancreatitis, consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, as well as biochemical and hematological data were carefully recorded for univariate and multivariate analyses. During follow-up, the information on current smoking status and recurrent AP was gathered. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the differences between groups were compared using the log-rank test.
No significant differences were observed between the three groups in age or medical history of hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or AP. The current smokers had a remarkably higher recurrence rate and a greater incidence of repeated episodes of AP (50.0% and 77.8%, respectively) than non-smokers (9.8% and 39.0%), and these two percentages were reduced to 9.1% and 36.4% for patients who gave up smoking. The median follow-up time was 13.5 mo and HLAP recurred after hospital discharge in 23 (26.1%) patients. Multivariate analysis identified current smoking (HR = 6.3, P = 0.020) as an independent risk factor contributing to HLAP recurrence. Current smokers had significantly worse RFS than non-smokers (23 mo vs 42 mo), but no significant difference was documented between ex-smokers (34 mo) and non-smokers. The RFS was not significantly different between light and heavy smokers.
Smoking is associated with worse RFS and an increased rate of HLAP recurrence. Continued smoking correlates with a compromised survival and smoking cessation should be recommended.
Core tip: This present study retrospectively enrolled hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP) patients in a large regional central hospital and revealed that cigarette smoking was associated with worse recurrence-free survival and an increased rate of HLAP recurrence. For smokers, continued smoking might be strongly correlated with HLAP recurrence and compromised survival. Therefore, smoking cessation should be strongly recommended.