Determination of Serum Amylase in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis: A Study of the Local Population

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a critical cause of acute abdominal pain that requires rapid diagnosis and management. Although serum amylase testing is widely used, its diagnostic specificity remains uncertain due to elevations in various non-pancreatic conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of serum amylase in diagnosing acute pancreatitis and to assess its relationship with demographic factors among a local population. A comparative study was conducted on 100 patients with confirmed acute pancreatitis and 50 healthy controls. Serum amylase levels were analyzed using the Beckman Coulter AU-680 automated analyzer, and data were statistically assessed using independent t-tests and Pearson correlation. Mean serum amylase levels were significantly higher in AP patients (471.89 ± 126.77 U/L) than in controls (54.68 ± 22.85 U/L; p < 0.001). The highest mean levels were observed in the 41–50-year age group, with a weak but significant correlation between groups (r = 0.092, p < 0.0001). Serum amylase remains a valuable biochemical marker for diagnosing acute pancreatitis, though its limited specificity restricts its standalone diagnostic use. Findings support its continued application alongside lipase testing. Future studies should include larger multicenter samples and evaluate combined biomarkers to enhance diagnostic precision.