key: cord-0908040-ig47gtwv
authors: Yu, X
title: Comment on: Acute pancreatitis in a COVID-19 patient
date: 2020-12-08
journal: Br J Surg
DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znaa037
sha: 1861d8ebca8d3e8cf17a19452aa26c2e8c887308
doc_id: 908040
cord_uid: ig47gtwv

nan

Recently we read with great interest an article in your journal about COVID-19 patients who later developed acute pancreatitis 1 . There is no doubt that the treatment of acute pancreatitis in this particular period is more challenging. As the largest acute pancreatitis treatment centre in China, we should put forward more and more optimal thinking on the treatment of patients in this period.

COVID-19 is an acute infectious disease characterized by respiratory symptoms, yet over time it has been demonstrated that many other systems are affected, including the digestive system. It is well known that acute pancreatitis is an acute abdominal disease characterized by abdominal symptoms. Therefore, the intersection of symptoms of COVID-19 and acute pancreatitis must make diagnosis difficult. Here we introduce two concepts in particular: acute pancreatitis combined with COVID-19 and novel coronavirus acute pancreatitis. This is necessary because the treatment of patients in the context of the pandemic requires such consideration.

Acute pancreatitis combined with COVID-19 means that the occurrence of the two diseases overlaps in time, but not in a cause-and-effect manner. However, novel coronavirus acute pancreatitis indicates that acute pancreatitis is caused by novel coronavirus infection. Although it is clear that viral infections such as coxsackie B and mumps viruses are indeed a cause of acute pancreatitis, it remains uncertain whether a novel coronavirus can cause acute pancreatitis. From this perspective, more studies and reports are urgently needed.

As the largest acute pancreatitis treatment and referral centre in China, we receive acute pancreatitis patients from all over the country almost every day. Figuring out the pathogenic characteristics of novel coronavirus will better serve doctors in clinical practice, and provide a scientific basis for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of epidemic diseases.

Disclosure. The author declares no conflict of interest.

Acute pancreatitis in a COVID-19 patient