Management of Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis in Europe : An International Pancreas2000 Survey
Panaitescu-Damian, Afrodita ; Wlodarczyk, Barbara ; Kiudelis, Vytautas ; Hadi, Amer ; Guilabert, Lucía ; Aronen, Anu ; Laukkarinen, Johanna and Regner, Sara LU
(2026)
In Digestive Diseases and Sciences
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: Identifying the underlying cause of acute pancreatitis is fundamental for prevention of recurrence. However, no standardised algorithm for determining its aetiology exists.
AIMS: This survey study aimed to investigate the international variations in diagnosis, workup protocols and follow-up of acute pancreatitis.
METHODS: A 37-item international questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary team within the Pancreas 2000 program. The survey was distributed through social media platforms, e-mails and conference presentations. Responses were collected anonymously.
RESULTS: The survey received 247 responses from 36 countries, with 96% of respondents based in Europe; there were 56% gastroenterologists (N =... (More)
BACKGROUND: Identifying the underlying cause of acute pancreatitis is fundamental for prevention of recurrence. However, no standardised algorithm for determining its aetiology exists.
AIMS: This survey study aimed to investigate the international variations in diagnosis, workup protocols and follow-up of acute pancreatitis.
METHODS: A 37-item international questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary team within the Pancreas 2000 program. The survey was distributed through social media platforms, e-mails and conference presentations. Responses were collected anonymously.
RESULTS: The survey received 247 responses from 36 countries, with 96% of respondents based in Europe; there were 56% gastroenterologists (N = 138), 34% surgeons (N = 84). Endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were equally chosen as the preferred initial diagnostic test (34%, N = 85 each) in cases of acute pancreatitis without identified aetiology after the standard workup. Compared to surgeons, gastroenterologists used endoscopic ultrasound more (5% vs. 29%, p < 0.001) and favoured it as the ideal initial diagnostic tool for determining the aetiology (17% vs. 41%, p < 0.001). Most respondents (79%, N = 194) didn't recommend cholecystectomy when there was no evidence of biliary aetiology. The majority (89%, N = 220) recommended follow-up for moderate and severe acute pancreatitis with an unknown aetiology after initial admission; 17% (N = 42) did not recommend any follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: This survey reveals significant disparities in the methods used to determine the aetiology of acute pancreatitis across different regions and centres within Europe. We share a common understanding that identifying the acute pancreatitis aetiology is critical to prevent recurrence. However, the absence of a validated protocol for this process is a notable gap in the clinical practice.
(Less)
- author
- Panaitescu-Damian, Afrodita
; Wlodarczyk, Barbara
; Kiudelis, Vytautas
; Hadi, Amer
; Guilabert, Lucía
; Aronen, Anu
; Laukkarinen, Johanna
and Regner, Sara
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-04-08
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- in
- Digestive Diseases and Sciences
- publisher
- Springer
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:41949788
- scopus:105035124728
- ISSN
- 0163-2116
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10620-026-09888-5
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- d7d1d32b-e0b6-492c-8c73-3ac247dfa8f6
- date added to LUP
- 2026-04-09 14:13:17
- date last changed
- 2026-06-04 16:31:56
@article{d7d1d32b-e0b6-492c-8c73-3ac247dfa8f6,
abstract = {{<p>BACKGROUND: Identifying the underlying cause of acute pancreatitis is fundamental for prevention of recurrence. However, no standardised algorithm for determining its aetiology exists.</p><p>AIMS: This survey study aimed to investigate the international variations in diagnosis, workup protocols and follow-up of acute pancreatitis.</p><p>METHODS: A 37-item international questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary team within the Pancreas 2000 program. The survey was distributed through social media platforms, e-mails and conference presentations. Responses were collected anonymously.</p><p>RESULTS: The survey received 247 responses from 36 countries, with 96% of respondents based in Europe; there were 56% gastroenterologists (N = 138), 34% surgeons (N = 84). Endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were equally chosen as the preferred initial diagnostic test (34%, N = 85 each) in cases of acute pancreatitis without identified aetiology after the standard workup. Compared to surgeons, gastroenterologists used endoscopic ultrasound more (5% vs. 29%, p < 0.001) and favoured it as the ideal initial diagnostic tool for determining the aetiology (17% vs. 41%, p < 0.001). Most respondents (79%, N = 194) didn't recommend cholecystectomy when there was no evidence of biliary aetiology. The majority (89%, N = 220) recommended follow-up for moderate and severe acute pancreatitis with an unknown aetiology after initial admission; 17% (N = 42) did not recommend any follow-up.</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: This survey reveals significant disparities in the methods used to determine the aetiology of acute pancreatitis across different regions and centres within Europe. We share a common understanding that identifying the acute pancreatitis aetiology is critical to prevent recurrence. However, the absence of a validated protocol for this process is a notable gap in the clinical practice.</p>}},
author = {{Panaitescu-Damian, Afrodita and Wlodarczyk, Barbara and Kiudelis, Vytautas and Hadi, Amer and Guilabert, Lucía and Aronen, Anu and Laukkarinen, Johanna and Regner, Sara}},
issn = {{0163-2116}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{04}},
publisher = {{Springer}},
series = {{Digestive Diseases and Sciences}},
title = {{Management of Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis in Europe : An International Pancreas2000 Survey}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10620-026-09888-5}},
doi = {{10.1007/s10620-026-09888-5}},
year = {{2026}},
}