Hyperlipemia pancreatitis onset time affects the association between elevated serum triglyceride levels and disease severity

BACKGROUND: The association of serum triglyceride (TG) levels with the severity of hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) remains controversial. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the TG levels from the initial onset and their predictive value in the disease assessment of HTG-AP. METHODS: Data collected from January 2018 to July 2021 in one institute were assessed retrospectively. HTG-AP was defined as a TG level > 500 mg/dL in the absence of other common aetiologies of AP. The TG levels within 24 hours (24 h), 48 hours (48 h), 3-4 days (3-4 d), and 5-7 days (5-7 d) after symptom onset and their correlations with disease severity in HTG-AP patients were analysed by cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, 377 HTG-AP patients were included before lipid-lowering intervention: 216 subjects had their first TG levels measured within 24 h after onset, 91 within 48 h, 50 in 3-4 d, and 20 in 5-7 d. TG levels decreased in the 24 h, 48 h and 3-4 d groups (P < 0.001), however, the TG decline in the 5-7 d group had no difference compared with the 3-4 d group. HTG-AP patients with severe or moderately severe disease displayed higher TG levels than those with mild disease in the 24 h and 48 h groups (P < 0.050) but not in the 3-4 d or 5-7 d groups. Furthermore, the TG levels were correlated with the modified computed tomography severity index only in the 24 h and 48 h groups, while an association between serum calcium levels and C-reactive protein levels was only present in the 24 h group. Similarly, the TG levels were related to hospital days and ICU days in the 24 h and/or 48 h groups. In the longitudinal study, 165 patients with complete records of TG levels from 24 h to 5-7 d were enrolled. With supportive care and lipid-lowering treatment after admission, the TG levels declined rapidly (P < 0.001), and the correlations with disease severity weakened or even disappeared from 24 h to 5-7 d. CONCLUSION: TG levels decreased and attenuated the association with disease severity of HTG-AP over the time of onset. The TG levels within the initial 48 h after onset were most useful for the diagnosis and disease assessment of HTG-AP.