Title : Evaluating the severity of acute pancreatitis in type 2 diabetes patients treated with incretin-based therapies versus insulin: A multicenter retrospective analysis using APACHE II
Abstract:
This multicenter retrospective study investigates whether incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors) influence the severity of acute pancreatitis compared to insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Using the APACHE II scoring system as a validated predictor of severity and ICU-level outcomes, we analyzed 192 patient records from three institutions between 2017–2022. Patients were stratified into two cohorts: those on incretin-based therapies and those on basal/bolus insulin therapy. Findings demonstrated no statistically significant difference in APACHE II scores between the two groups; however, patients on incretin-based agents showed a modest trend toward lower ICU admission rates and reduced length of stay. These results suggest that incretin-based therapies are not associated with worse pancreatitis severity and may, in select populations, be a safer long-term glycemic option with pancreatic tolerability. Additional prospective research is warranted to further validate these findings and explore potential protective mechanisms.