Role of SARS-CoV2 Virus in the Etiology of Acute Pancreatitis

Aim: To investigate whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus is involved in the etiology of acute pancreatitis. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in Çiğli Educational Hospital, Bakırçay Univesity. The study included 2060 patients with AP admitted to hospital between March, 2020 and August, 2023. The patients were assigned into 2 groups based on presence of COVID-19 infection. Ethiological factors for AP were determined in all patients. Results: Gallstone was the etiological factor in 614 patients (32.9%) who were COVID (-) but it was the etiological reason in only 19 patients (19%) in COVID (+) group. No etiology was identified in 217 (11.6%) of COVID (-) patients who were diagnosed as idiopathic pancreatitis. Idiopathic pancreatitis was diagnosed in 107 cases (54%) in COVID (+) group. There was significant difference presence of the diagnosis, which was made according to etiological factor, between groups. Conclusion: There was no definitive etiological link between COVID-19 and AP; however, the fact that same team diagnosed such a different idiopathic AP in the same hospital with same diagnostic facilities implies an etiological role for SARS-CoV-2 virus in AP.