Publication:

Comparative study between omega 3 fatty acid infusion versus octreotide in management of acute pancreatitis

Background Acute pancreatitis is one of the commonest diseases. While some use octreotide infusion, some rely only on fluid therapy and symptomatic treatment. Ongoing research has commented about omega (ω) 3 fatty acid (FA) infusions being the future of acute pancreatitis treatment as it is cheap and has lesser side effects.

Methods This prospective comparative study was done in patients with acute pancreatitis. Patients were divided into two groups, with group A receiving ω-3 FA single-dose infusion of 60 ml/hour over 4-5 hours and the other group B were subjected to injection of octreotide 100 mcg IV 8th hourly for 5 days with IV fluids. The groups were compared based on improvement in biochemical markers, BISAP score and hospital stay.

Results 132 patients were divided into 2 groups, on day 3 serum amylase levels in the ω-3 FA group were 268.54±65.84, and the octreotide group was 299.18±94.31 (p value=0.032). Day 3 serum lipase levels in the ω-3 FA group were 137.07±62.19, and the octreotide group was 172.07±72.46 (p value=0.002). Day 3 BISAP score in the ω-3 FA group was 1.21±0.41, and the octreotide group was 1.39±0.49 (p value=0.023). The duration of hospital stay in the ω-3 FA group was 8.03±1.09 days and in the octreotide group was 11.83±1.04 days (p<0.0001).

Conclusions Patients receiving ω-3 FA reported lower amylase-lipase levels along with a lower BISAP score. Hence looking for a cheaper and safer alternative, ω-3 FA infusion could reduce the problem on the patient and hospitalization concomitant expenses.