The project
Acute pancreatitis may be an early warning sign for pancreatic cancer, but it is unclear which patients are most at risk or how long this risk persists. This project will use national NHS Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data to identify patients in England admitted with acute pancreatitis who later develop pancreatic cancer.
The study aims to identify high-risk groups and define the time interval between pancreatitis and cancer diagnosis to help inform targeted surveillance and support earlier cancer detection.
What are they going to do?
Dr Umair Kamran will conduct a retrospective cohort study using NHS Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data and ICD-10 diagnostic codes to identify patients admitted with acute pancreatitis and those subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Demographic and clinical risk factors will be analysed using regression and survival models to identify predictors of cancer development and determine the periods of highest risk following pancreatitis.
Why is this research important?
Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed late, when curative treatment is no longer possible, contributing to poor survival rates. Acute pancreatitis may provide an opportunity to identify patients at increased cancer risk earlier, but there is currently limited evidence to guide follow-up.
This study could help identify patients who may benefit from targeted surveillance after pancreatitis, supporting earlier diagnosis, improving access to potentially curative treatment, and ultimately improving survival and quality of life for people with pancreatic cancer.
How to get involved
This is open to anyone affected by pancreatic cancer including patients, survivors, carers and loved ones.
Focus groups can be held on the the 9th of June or the morning of 16th of June. Dr Kamran is happy to offer alternative dates.
No scientific background or prior experience is needed to take part in this opportunity.
Next steps
To help shape this study: If you are interested in taking part or would like more information, please email Umair (u.kamran1@nhs.net) quoting the involvement reference ‘RIN involvement’.
