The impact of extra‐pancreatic infections on outcomes of acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Background The impact of extrapancreatic infections (EPI) on outcomes of acute pancreatitis has received limited attention in the literature. We compiled data from published studies to present high‐quality evidence on the prognostic role of EPI on acute pancreatitis. Methods This PRISMA‐compliant and PROSPERO registered review (CRD42024516872) searched Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed for comparative studies between EPI and no‐EPI. Outcomes assessed were mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, necrosis, organ failure, persistent organ failure, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results Seven studies were included in the review. The meta‐analysis found that patients with EPI had a significantly higher risk of mortality as compared to the no‐EPI group (OR: 3.85 95% CI: 2.79, 5.31). The risk of ICU admission (OR: 12.24 95% CI: 3.56, 42.10), necrosis (OR: 3.50 95% CI: 1.37, 8.89) organ failure (OR: 6.03 95% CI: 3.75, 9.70) and persistent organ failure (OR: 6.72 95% CI: 3.58, 12.62) was significantly increased in the EPI group compared to the non‐EPI group. The meta‐analysis also found significantly longer LOS in the EPI group (MD: 11.92 95% CI: 4.75, 19.08). Conclusion EPI is associated with a worse prognosis in acute pancreatitis. EPI was associated with an increased risk of mortality, ICU admission, organ failure, and prolonged LOS. Limited number of studies and baseline confounding are drawbacks of current evidence which need to be rectified by future studies.