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 the 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 gender-matched controls. Fruit intake was found to be a protective factor (odds ratio [OR] 5.3). Crude ORs, although of marginal importance, showed that daily alcohol intake and years of exposure to occupational chemicals may be of significance but would require a much larger study to test these factors. This would be necessary in order to explain the rapid increase in pancreatitis coincident with urbanization and industrialization in the community.