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. 2023 Jan-Feb;36(1):68-72.
doi: 10.20524/aog.2022.0769. Epub 2022 Nov 29.

Increased mortality in patients with alcohol-induced pancreatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hunza Chaudhry  1 , Aalam Sohal  2 , Ragini Sharma  3 , Dino Dukovic  4 , David Lee  5 , Anthony Gamboa  6 , Juliana Yang  7
Affiliations

Increased mortality in patients with alcohol-induced pancreatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hunza Chaudhry et al. Ann Gastroenterol. 2023 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic affected millions of people worldwide. Alcohol consumption increased during the pandemic, leading to rising numbers of cases of alcohol-related pancreatitis. We aimed to assess the mortality of alcohol-induced pancreatitis during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Methods: We analyzed the National Vital Statistical System's (NVSS) provisional multiple causes of death data, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to assess the mortality of alcohol-induced pancreatitis during the pandemic. Patients with alcohol-induced pancreatitis as a cause of death were analyzed between 2018 and 2021. Patient demographics such as age, sex, ethnicity, and location were studied.

Results: During 2018-2021, there were 2547 deaths from alcohol-induced pancreatitis. The total cases and age-adjusted rates of alcohol-induced pancreatitis per 100,000 were similar in 2018 (n=515) and 2019 (n=501) (crude rate=0.1). The number increased to 747 in 2020 and 784 in 2021 (crude rate=0.2). A statistically significant increase in mortality rates was noted in all age groups except 75-84. An increase in mortality in both males and females was noted (48% increase and 64% increase, respectively, P<0.001). The number of deaths increased in both Hispanics (59%, P<0.001) and non-Hispanics (48%, P<0.001).

Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrated a substantial increase in the mortality of patients with alcohol-induced pancreatitis during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in alcohol consumption and the burden on mental health caused massive collateral damage to society. Urgent public health interventions are needed at state and national levels to prevent further rise in cases.

Keywords: Alcohol-induced pancreatitis; COVID-19; acute pancreatitis; mortality; pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of deaths each year, stratified by sex
Figure 2
Figure 2
Monthly distribution of deaths. Lockdown began in March 2020, coinciding with the increased mortality rates observed starting March 2020
Figure 3
Figure 3
Deaths each year, stratified by region
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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