Pezzilli et al used serum lipase to identify patients with acute pancreatitis, and serum interleukin-6 levels to separate severe from mild disease.
Serum lipase:
(1) A DuPont turbidometric assay was used, with a reference interval of 24 to 270 U/L.
(2) The use of a serum lipase above the upper reference limit had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 93% for separating pancreatitis from nonpancreatic acute abdomen.
(3) Increasing the cutoff to 1.5 to 2.0 times the upper limit of the reference range gave a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 100%
Serum interleukin-6:
(1) Normal persons had no detectable interleukin-6.
(2) A cutoff of 3.7 µg/L has a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 83% in separating severe from mild acute pancreatitis.
Serum Lipase
Interleukin-6
Interpretation
increased
above cutoff
severe acute pancreatitis
increased
below cutoff
mild acute pancreatitis
not increased
above cutoff
nonpancreatitic acute abdomen
not increased
below cutoff
nonpancreatic and mild
Limitations:
• Assay for interleukin-6 is usually not readily available.
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