Case control study of environmental factors in the etiology of the first attack of acute pancreatitis - A pilot study

The aim of this case control study was to assess environmental factors in t he etiology of the first attack of acute pancreatitis (AP) in Soweto, South Africa, in the light of modern developments. The study group consisted of 30 patients presenting with a first attack of AP, and 30 healthy age- and g ender-matched controls. Fruit intake was found to be a protective factor (o dds ratio [OR] 5.3). Crude ORs, although of marginal importance, showed tha t daily alcohol intake and years of exposure to occupational chemicals may be of significance but would require a much larger study to test these fact ors. This would be necessary in order to explain the rapid increase in panc reatitis coincident with urbanization and industrialization in the communit y.