Insights into acute pancreatitis associated COVID-19: Literature review

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily affects the lungs, causing respiratory symptoms. However, the infection clearly affects all organ systems including the gastrointestinal system. Acute pancreatitis associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been widely reported Recent studies have discussed pancreatic compromise incidentally in asymptomatic patients, or in a form of clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, which is further reflected in some cases with abnormal serum lipase and amylase levels It was suggested that upregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme II cell receptors or inflammatory cytokines play a major role in predisposing pancreatic injury in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients To date, there is insufficient data to establish the causality of acute pancreatitis in SARS-CoV-2 infected cases. In this paper, we organize recent studies conducted to observe the frequency of acute pancreatitis associated with COVID-19 cases while highlighting present hypotheses, predisposing factors, and their effect on the outcome, and point to gaps in our knowledge.