BUN level as a marker of severity in acute pancreatitis: simple, universal, and accurate: comment on 'Blood urea nitrogen in the early assessment of acute pancreatitis'.

摘要

Acute pancreatitis is a devastating disease, causing over 200 000 hospitalizations in the United States annually. A cause of extensive morbidity, the per-incident mortality rate of acute pancreatitis is approximately 5%. With no pharmacologic intervention that has proven reliable in improving clinical outcomes, it is imperative that clinicians recognize patients with a predicted severe outcome early in their course. Early recognition of severity allows for appropriate triage to the intensive care unit, adequate fluid resuscitation, and initiation of enteral feedings.