Free serum DNA is an early predictor of severity in acute pancreatitis

Objectives: Cell-free DNA has been investigated as a diagnostic marker in many diseases, including acute conditions. Our hypothesis was that in acute pancreatitis free serum DNA correlates with the extent of pancreatic necrosis and that it may be an early marker of severity. Design and methods: Free DNA was measured in sera from 30 patients with acute pancreatitis at admission, on the first, fourth and seventh day following admission. Results: On the first day following admission patients who would develop severe pancreatitis had significantly higher serum DNA levels than those with mild disease (median 0.271 ng/mu L vs. 0.059 ng/mu L respectively; P<0.001). This parameter showed very good characteristics as a potential severity predictor (area under ROC curve 0.97). Free serum DNA was in correlation with the extent of pancreatic necrosis. Conclusions: Free serum DNA correlates with the extent of pancreatic necrosis and is a potential early marker of severe acute pancreatitis. (C) 2008 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.