Antibiotic use in acute pancreatitis: Global overview of compliance with international guidelines

Abstract

Introduction: Practice guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis make recommendations in relation to antibiotic prophylaxis and treatment in acute pancreatitis. However, it is difficult to ascertain whether this information translates into clinical practice. The aim of this study is to obtain a global overview assessing reports from across the world of the use of antibiotic use in acute pancreatitis.

Methods: A computerised literature search was performed from January 1992 to September 2015. Studies were either national physician surveys or national database reports on antibiotic prophylaxis in acute pancreatitis. Using these criteria, 10 studies were identified which comprise the final study population.

Results: Eight studies report on the questionnaire responses of 2397 physicians. The range of response rate was 38-96%. A separate study reported on outcome of a national insurance database outcomes in 7193 patients. The lowest incidence of use of antibiotic prophylaxis was 41% and the highest 88%.

Conclusion: This study provides a unique global perspective on antibiotic use in acute pancreatitis and indicates that the use of antibiotics, both as prophylaxis and as treatment in this disease is widespread.

Keywords: Acute pancreatitis; Antibiotics; Clinical practice; Compliance; Guidelines; Questionnaire surveys.