COVID-19 Pandemic Reduces Acute Pancreatitis Cases in Japan

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant reduction in acute pancreatitis (AP) cases requiring hospitalization in Japan. The nationwide survey of patients with AP treated at selected hospitals in 2021 found that the estimated number of AP patients requiring hospitalization decreased from 78,450 in 2016 to 61,080. Furthermore, the AP-associated in-hospital mortality rate dropped from 6.1% in 2016 to 2.1% in 2021, and adherence to clinical guidelines on prophylactic antibiotics and enteral nutrition improved, indicating enhanced management of AP in Japan.

Key Takeaways:

  • A nationwide survey of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) treated at selected hospitals in Japan in 2021 revealed a significant reduction in AP cases requiring hospitalization.
  • The estimated number of AP patients requiring hospitalization decreased from 78,450 in 2016 to 61,080.
  • The AP-associated in-hospital mortality rate dropped from 6.1% in 2016 to 2.1% in 2021.
  • Adherence to clinical guidelines on prophylactic antibiotics and enteral nutrition improved, indicating enhanced management of AP in Japan.
  • The study highlighted the importance of clinical guidelines in improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality rates.
  • The researchers noted that the decline in AP cases may be attributed to the reduced number of hospitalizations during the pandemic.
  • The study's findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the management of AP in Japan.

Statistics:

  • Estimated number of AP patients requiring hospitalization in 2016: 78,450
  • Estimated number of AP patients requiring hospitalization in 2021: 61,080 (down from 78,450)
  • AP-associated in-hospital mortality rate in 2016: 6.1%
  • AP-associated in-hospital mortality rate in 2021: 2.1% (down from 6.1%)
  • Adherence to clinical guidelines on prophylactic antibiotics in 2016: 94.5% (down to 61.2% in 2021)
  • Adherence to clinical guidelines on enteral nutrition in 2016: 31.8% (up to 56.9% in 2021)

Sources:

  • Nationwide epidemiological survey of acute pancreatitis in Japan, 2021: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and revised clinical guidelines. Journal of Gastroenterology, 2025.
  • NewsRx. New COVID-19 Data Have Been Reported by Researchers at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine (Nationwide epidemiological survey of acute pancreatitis in Japan, 2021: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and revised clinical guidelines). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. August 24, 2025; p 74.