Comment on: the seasonal variation in pancreatitis attacks among emergency department admissions

Authors

Abstract

Erkan Boğa
Department of Internal Medicine, Esenyurt Necmi Kadıoğlu State Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

Introduction

To the editor:
I was intrigued by the article titled “The seasonal variation in pancreatitis attacks among emergency department admissions”, published in January 2025 (Ann Clin Anal Med 2025;16(1):15-18). The study makes an important contribution by highlighting the seasonal variations in acute pancreatitis (AP) cases and raising awareness among emergency department physicians. However, I would like to share my thoughts and raise some questions regarding certain aspects of the study.
Firstly, the study mentions that the seasonal increase in AST levels (particularly during autumn) may indicate a worse prognosis for AP [1]. This finding could serve as a foundation for future research by exploring its pathophysiological mechanisms. How- ever, the lack of a detailed explanation in the study leaves readers like me seeking further clarification [2]. For example, was it possible to investigate the relationship between seasonal AST changes and specific complication rates?
Secondly, the fact that the study is based solely on a single center, Konya City Hospital, raises questions about the generaliz- ability of the findings. Similar studies conducted in different regions of Türkiye could provide valuable insights, especially in assessing the impact of diverse climatic conditions and lifestyles on AP incidence [3].
Lastly, while the lack of significant seasonal differences in AP etiology is reported as a notable result, it is worth discussing why trends observed in the literature, such as the increase in alcohol-induced AP cases during summer (as highlighted by Sirtl et al.), were not observed in this study [4].
I believe this study makes an important contribution to raising awareness about seasonal considerations in the management of AP. Nevertheless, addressing the above questions could further enrich the existing literature and provide deeper insights into this area.
Sincerely.
[Discussed Article’s Publication Date and Issue: Ann Clin Anal Med. 2025;16(1):15-18]
Ethical Approval
Ethical approval was not required for this study as it was a Letter to the Editor based on previously published data and did not involve any human or animal participants.

References

1. Liu W, Du JJ, Li ZH, Zhang XY, Zuo HD. Liver injury associated with acute pancreatitis: the current status of clinical evaluation and involved mechanisms. World J Clin Cases. 2021;9(34):10418-29. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i34.10418.
   Article PubMed Google Scholar
2. Şenkal N, Karahan L, Bardak AE, Konyaoğlu H, Teberik Kama E, İnci İ, et al. Assessment of the Ranson score in acute pan- cre- atitis: its value in an emergency setting upon admission. J Ist Faculty Med. 2023;86(3):101. doi:10.26650/IUITFD.1272976.
   Article PubMed Google Scholar
3. Gallerani M, Boari B, Salmi R, Manfredini R. Seasonal variation in the onset of acute pancreatitis. World J Gastroentrol. 2004;10(22):3328-31. doi:10.3748/wjg.v10.i22.3328.
   Article PubMed Google Scholar
4. Sirtl S, Hohmann E, Beyer G, Hamm J, Neesse A, Ammer-Herrmenau C. The four seasons of pancreatitis - etiology of acute pancreatitis during the course of the year. Z Gastroenterol. 2024;62(8):1207-10. doi:10.1055/a-2293-7813.
   Article PubMed Google Scholar

Declarations

Additional Information

Publisher’s Note
Bayrakol MP remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional and institutional claims.

Rights and Permissions

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0). To view a copy of the license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

View full license details →

About This Article