Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been linked to various gastrointestinal symptoms, including acute pancreatitis (AP). Emerging evidence suggests that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may directly and indirectly contribute to pancreatic injury. Additionally, COVID-19-induced systemic inflammation, including cytokine storms, exacerbates pancreatic injury. Clinical studies indicate that COVID-19-associated AP often presents with severe complications, including necrotizing pancreatitis, higher rates of intensive care unit admission, and increased mortality. However, the clinical characteristics and precise mechanisms remain unclear, partly due to the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria and insufficient research into alternative AP etiologies. Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 may increase the risk and severity of AP, particularly in the absence of traditional causes such as gallstones or alcohol use. Further studies should focus on differential diagnosis and mechanisms of pancreatic injury, contributing to improved recognition and management of AP in the context of the ongoing pandemic.
Hwang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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